Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Tampa Bay Rays (71-74) and Philadelphia Phillies (87-58) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Wednesday. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Phillies lead 2-0

The Rays were pounded 9-4 Tuesday as the Phillies have won the first 2 games of the series by an 11-5 margin. The Over/Under (O/U) has split 1-1 in the series.

Tampa Bay is still technically alive for a postseason spot, but it is 6 games back of the Minnesota Twins for the final Wild Card in the American League with 17 games to play.

The Rays have won just twice in the past 6 outings, and Tampa Bay is 7-2 in the past 9 outings as an underdog on the run line while winning 3 of those games outright. The Under holds a slight 3-2 edge in the past 5 outings.

In interleague games, Tampa Bay has dropped 5 of the past 6 tries while going 3-1-1 in the past 5 against the NL.

The Phillies have rolled up 8 victories in the past 10 tries while cashing on the run line as favorites at a 5-2 clip in the past 7 tries. The Over is on a 4-1 run in the past 5 outings.

Rays at Phillies projected starters

RHP Shane Baz vs. RHP Zack Wheeler

Baz (2-3, 3.27 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 55 IP.

  • Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 5 K in 2-0 road setback vs. Baltimore Orioles Friday
  • 2024 road splits: 1-2, 2.76 ERA, 32 2/3 IP, 10 ER, 1 HR, 1.32 WHIP, .235 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 15 BB, 23 K in 6 starts
  • Has never faced Phillies

Wheeler (14-6, 2.59 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 0.96 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 173 2/3 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 16-2 road victory vs. Miami Marlins Friday
  • 2024 home splits: 9-3, 2.27 ERA, 95 1/3 IP, 24 ER, 8 HR, 0.92 WHIP, .187 OBA, 24 BB, 106 K in 15 starts
  • Career vs. Rays: 0-2, 4.91 ERA (22 IP, 12 ER), 3 HR, 1.23 WHIP, 13.1 K/9 in 3 starts

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Rays at Phillies odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:40 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays +166 (bet $100 to win $166) | Phillies -198 (bet $198 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-132) | Phillies -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)

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Rays at Phillies picks and predictions

Prediction

Phillies 4, Rays 2

Moneyline

The Phillies (-198) are a little too expensive for a standalone bet, costing nearly 2 times your potential return. Over the long term that’s not a recommended betting strategy. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, including Philadelphia is not priced out of line.

AVOID as a singular wager, however.

Run line/Against the spread

The PHILLIES -1.5 (+110) is a decent play at plus-money, although the pitching matchup between Baz and Wheeler should be a very good battle.

Philadelphia has 5 wins in the past 7 games since Sept. 4, with 4 of the victories coming by 2 or more runs. That includes Tuesday’s 9-4 victory as a heavy favorite (-176).

Over/Under

UNDER 7.5 (-122) is a low number, but it’s worth playing in this solid pitching matchup.

Baz has a solid 3.27 ERA in his 10 previous starts, and he has managed a tremendous 2.76 ERA on the road. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 starting assignments for Baz, including 2-0 in the past 2 starts on the road.

And for Wheeler, he has managed a 2.59 ERA this season while turning in an amazing 2.27 ERA at home, which is shocking considering Citizens Bank Park is a bandbox. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 starts and 5-2 across the past 7 outings.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Tampa Bay Rays (71-72) and Philadelphia Phillies (85-58) begin a 3-game series Monday. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Phillies won all 3 meetings in 2023

The Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Sunday behind a strong pitching effort and a key home run. RHP Zack Littell and four relievers combined for a 5-hit shutout, while LF Jonny DeLuca’s 2-run HR in the 6th inning secured the win. This victory marked the Rays’ 1st road series win since Aug. 6-8 in St. Louis and was their 1st in Baltimore since 2021.

The Phillies lost 10-1 to the Miami Marlins on Sunday. RHP Seth Johnson struggled in his MLB debut, allowing 9 ER in 2 1/3 IP (8 H, 3 BB, 0 K). 1B Bryce Harper’s RBI single was Philadelphia’s only run. Despite the loss, the Phillies won the season series 7-6.

Rays at Phillies projected starters

RHP Cole Sulser vs. LHP Cristopher Sanchez

Sulser (0-0, 4.35 ERA) makes his 2nd start and 8th appearance. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 10 1/3 IP.

  • Last appearance: No-decision, 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 9-4 home victory against Minnesota Twins Wednesday
  • Acquired on July 26 from the New York Mets for cash considerations
  • Has not pitched more than 2 2/3 innings in any of his 39 appearances between the majors and Triple-A this season

Sanchez (10-9, 3.45 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 159 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 4-2 road victory against Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday
  • 2024 home splits: 7-3, 2.24 ERA (92 1/3 IP, 27 R (23 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 14 starts
  • Last start vs Rays: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 3-1 road victory on July 6, 2023

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Rays at Phillies odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:16 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays +168 (bet $100 to win $168) | Phillies -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Rays +1.5 (-134) | Phillies -1.5 (+112)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -102 | U: -120)

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Rays at Phillies picks and predictions

Prediction

Phillies 6, Rays 2

Moneyline

PASS.

I’ve got the Phillies (-200) taking the opener of this series, but I’ll look to the run line with the more enticing odds to make my bet in this matchup.

Run line/Against the spread

BET PHILLIES -1.5 (+112).

Betting on the Phillies to cover the run line against the Rays on Monday night looks like a solid choice. The Phillies are in a fierce race with the LA Dodgers for the best record in the NL and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. After splitting their recent series with the Marlins and dropping their last 2 games, they really need a win, especially now that they’re back in Philly.

The Rays are throwing out an opener who hasn’t pitched more than 3 innings in any game, which is a big advantage for the Phillies. Sanchez has been on point, allowing just 2 ER per game in his last 4 starts. Plus, the Phillies have won their last 3 games against the Rays and covered the run line every time. With all this, taking the Phillies on the run line seems like a smart play.

Over/Under

PASS.

I don’t love the trends for this game to give a recommendation. The O/U is 5-5 in their last 10 meetings.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (78-48) and Philadelphia Phillies (63-62) wrap up their two-game interleague series Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Citizens Bank Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rays vs. Phillies odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Rays LHP Ryan Yarbrough (7-4, 4.57 ERA) makes his 18th start and 24th appearance of the year. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 124 IP.

  • In his lone start since coming off the COVID-19 injured list, Yarbrough allowed 1 hit over 5 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles Aug. 18.
  • He has been much sharper on the road this season with a 3.94 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 64 innings.

RHP Zack Wheeler (10-8, 2.77 ERA) is the projected starter for the Phillies. He has a 1.00 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 through 168 2/3 IP.

  • Wheeler has struggled of late with 4 or more earned runs allowed in three of his last four starts, but the underlying skills over the last month (5.7 K/BB, 12.6% swinging-strike rate) have been just fine.
  • He’s been dominant at home all season with a 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 104 innings.

Rays at Phillies odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Phillies -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays +1.5 (-180) | Phillies -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Prediction

Rays 4, Phillies 3

Money line (ML)

These teams are heading in opposite directions.

The Rays have won seven of their last eight games with 7.38 runs per game in that span, while the Phillies dropped six of their last eight games. The teams have met three times this season (including Yarbrough vs. Wheeler May 29) and the Rays won all three.

Wheeler might have the advantage over Yarbrough at the start, but the Rays’ bullpen has the best ERA in baseball at 3.03, while the Phillies’ 4.60 bullpen ERA ranks 23rd.

Take the RAYS (+120).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Since we’re recommending the underdog to win straight up, PASS on the spread and get more bang for your buck on the money line.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Phillies’ offense has been a mess of late—they’ve averaged just over 3 runs per game across their last seven outings and six of those games have finished Under Wednesday’s projected total of 8.5 runs. Couple that with Wheeler’s run prevention on the mound and take the UNDER 8.5 (-112).

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