The Tampa Bay Rays (51-41) open the second half against the Kansas City Royals (36-56) Friday with the first game of a 3-game set at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Royals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: This is their first meeting of the season.
Tampa has been consistently above average at 6-4, 11-9 and 16-14 over the last 10, 20 and 30 games, respectively. The Rays are 2nd in the AL East and figure to battle it out for an AL Wild Card as the season progresses. They have been great at home at 31-18 with a 20-23 mark on the road.
The Royals have played inspired ball despite being without 3 of their best players in C Salvador Perez, 2B Whit Merrifield and SS Adalberto Mondesi. Kansas City was 15-15 over its last 30 games but has dropped 4 of its last 6, and Merrifield’s absence is sure to continue to sting.
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Rays at Royals projected starters
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Brad Keller
Rasmussen (5-3, 3.22 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 72 2/3 IP.
- Has a 3.79 ERA through his last 4 starts.
- Struggles on the road with a 4.50 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 vs. 2.09 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 at home.
Keller (5-9, 3.96 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 in 97 2/3 IP.
- Went 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA against Tampa in 2021. Allowed 5 ER in 1 2/3 IP in one start and 1 ER in 7 IP w/ 7 K’s in the other.
- He’s better at home with a 3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 vs. 4.50 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 5.5 K/9 on the road.
Rays at Royals odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rays -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Royals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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Rays at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Royals 4
Money line
Tampa was 4-2 against the Royals last season, and Kansas City could start trading away assets any day before the Aug. 2 deadline. Tampa won 5 of 6 games before the break and scored 5.2 runs per game in the process.
The Royals know the sky is about to fall on their roster, and it could start showing on the field. The price for the RAYS (-130) is a decent one, so let’s punch that ticket.
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Run line/Against the spread
As mentioned, Tampa won 5 of 6 before the break, but 3 of them were by 1 run. The Rays are 43-49 on the RL and 21-22 RL on the road. I don’t trust Tampa to win by margin, nor do I trust KC to keep within 1 run. PASS.
Over/Under
It’s nearly 100 degrees with a 14-mph wind blowing out to left field tonight in Kansas City. You have 2 pitchers with suspect results in recent outings. The only question is if K.C. can score enough with its limited, banged-up lineup. Tampa’s last 3 games went Over, and 2 of the last 3 did for Kansas.
LEAN OVER 8.5 (-135).
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