The Tampa Bay Rays (55-28) finish out a 3-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (48-33) on Thursday at Chase Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Diamondbacks odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Rays defeated the Diamondbacks 3-2 on Wednesday with 1B Yandy Diaz notching 3 hits in the leadoff spot. Tampa Bay remains 5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East race despite going 4-6 in its last 10 contests.
In Wednesday’s loss to the Blue Jays, OF Corbin Carroll recorded his 24th stolen base of the season. Arizona is expected to recall RHP Brandon Pfaadt from Triple-A to start on Thursday with RHP Merrill Kelly on the injured list.
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Rays at Diamondbacks projected starters
RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt
Littell (0-1, 6.57 ERA) makes 1st start and his 9th appearance with Tampa. He has a 1.70 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 12 1/3 innings.
- Hasn’t pitched more than 3 innings in any of his 8 appearances with the Rays, who he joined May 12 after being waived by the Boston Red Sox
- Has given up a HR in 3 of his 8 appearances.
Pfaadt (0-2, 8.37 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.65 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 23 2/3 innings.
- Surrendered 3 ER or more in 4 of his 5 starts before being sent to Triple-A
- Registered a 3-0 record with a 3.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 9.8 K/9 in 5 starts at Triple-A in June
Rays at Diamondbacks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Diamondbacks -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+140) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rays at Diamondbacks picks and predictions
Prediction
Diamondbacks 6, Rays 5
Moneyline
With both teams not having one of their top pitchers on the mound, I’ll side with the DIAMONDBACKS (-110) at home to close out the series. The Diamondbacks are 11-2 in their last 13 games against a pitcher with a WHIP higher than 1.30.
Run line/Against the spread
Unless you can get the Diamondbacks to cover the run line at -160 or better, I’ll PASS on wagering on the spread in this potential World Series preview.
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Over/Under
With Littell and Pfaadt pitching, OVER 10 (-105) is an enticing bet. The Diamondbacks have posted 5-plus runs in 8 of their last 9 games, while the Rays have the 2nd-best ISO (.194), the 2nd-best wOBA (.343), and the best wRC+ (125) against right-handed pitching this season.
The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings overall and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Arizona.
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