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The Philadelphia Phillies (45-39) and Tampa Bay Rays (57-31) meet Wednesday as they continue a 3-game series in St. Petersburg. First pitch at Tropicana Field is slated for 6:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Phillies vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Philadelphia leads 1-0.
The Phillies took Tuesday’s series opener 3-1 and are 6-2 across their last 8 games. Over those 8 games, Philadelphia pitching has compiled a 2.88 ERA. On the road, the Phils have won 10 in a row while logging a 2.01 ERA.
With Tuesday’s setback, Tampa Bay has lost 3 in a row. The Rays have slowed down since winning 7 straight from June 3-9; they are 10-12 since. During that stretch, Tampa Bay gone just 4-5 at home.
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Phillies at Rays projected starters
RHP Taijuan Walker vs. RHP Zack Littell
Walker (9-3, 3.93 ERA) is lined up for his 18th start. He’s posted a 1.23 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 89 1/3 innings.
- Has yielded just 20 H and 3 ER (0.84 ERA) over his last 32 IP
- Owns a 5.26 ERA and 1.44 on the road
Littell (0-1, 5.28 ERA) is making his 2nd start (and 13th appearance) of the season. He has notched a 1.43 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 15 1/3 innings.
- Figures as an opener for the Rays (pitched 2 innings in that role June 29)
- Owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.34 WHIP over his career; has made 5 starts and 152 relief appearances
- RHP Yonny Chirinos (3.64 ERA) is a likely candidate to follow Littell
Phillies at Rays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Phillies +116 (bet $100 to win $116) | Rays -134 (bet $134 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies +1.5 (-176) | Rays -1.5 (+146)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -102)
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Phillies at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Phillies 5
Moneyline
The Phillies have showed better recent form, but Walker has some underlying indicators that point to his likely being overrated, perhaps significantly, heading into this game.
Pitchers on both sides are fade-worthy, especially if Chirinos, beneficiary of a .237 batting average with balls in play, toils a few frames for the Rays.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
More juice here. Less interest here. PASS.
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Over/Under
The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 series meetings in Tampa Bay. And it is 19-7 in Tampa’s last 26 home games. With some lean against the pitching in this one and for a Philadelphia offense likely capable of more-than 4.52 runs per game, BACK THE OVER 8.5 (-120).
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