The Tampa Bay Rays (72-49) took the opener of a 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants (63-56), and the 2 teams battle again on Tuesday. Game time is set for 9:45 p.m. ET at Oracle Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Giants odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 1-0 after Monday’s 10-2 win
The Rays were one of the top teams in the league during the 1st half of the season, but they are 15-21 since the beginning of July and 14-14 since the All-Star break.
The Giants would be the 2nd Wild-Card team in the National League if the season ended today, but they are losing their grip on the spot with losses in 7 of their last 9 games.
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Rays at Giants projected starters
RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Jakob Junis
Littell (2-3, 4.10 ERA) makes his 20th appearance (7th start). He has a 1.32 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 41 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
- Road stats: 2-2, 2.92 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 8 ER) with a 7.7 K/9 and 1 HR allowed.
- Littell has been getting stretched out, as he has averaged 76 pitches and 5 2/3 IP over his last 3 starts, a span in which he has allowed just 5 ER (2.65 ERA) with 10 K vs. 1 BB.
Junis (3-3, 4.36 ERA) makes his 32nd appearance (2nd start). He has a 1.41 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 64 innings.
- His only other start was July 31 when he allowed 0 ER, 1 H and 3 K in 3 IP vs. the Arzona Diamondbacks
- Home stats: 0-1, 4.85 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 16 ER) with a strong 38/8 K/BB.
- Career vs. Rays: 4-1, 3.48 ERA (31 IP, 12 ER) in 7 outings (5 starts); last faced Rays in May 2021
Rays at Giants odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Giants -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+145) | Giants +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rays at Giants picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Giants 3
Moneyline
Littell isn’t dominant and he gives up his fair share of loud contact, as his Statcast numbers reveal a 2nd percentile HardHit% and Average Exit Velocity. But he has issued just 1 free pass in his last 33 IP, a skill that helps him avoid the blowups. The Giants rank 28th in runs per game at home (3.84) and the (RAYS -115) should come out on top.
Run line/Against the spread
Junis has been pitching well lately, as he has allowed just 2 ER in 13 1/3 IP over his last 7 appearances, recording 15 K’s during that time. He can’t be expected to work deep into the game, but Sean Manaea is a good bet to follow him, and he has looked good recently too, with 1 ER allowed and 14 K across 11 2/3 IP in his last 5 outings. They should keep it close so PASS on the run line.
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Over/Under
Neither offense looks primed for a huge day and the Giants bats have been real quiet lately, with just 70 total runs scored in their last 24 games. Make a small play on UNDER 8.5 (-105).
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