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The Tampa Bay Rays (5-5) take on the Los Angeles Angels (5-4) Monday in the opener of a 3-game set at Angel Stadium at 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rays won 4-2 last season
The Rays come into Anaheim after taking 2 of 3 in Colorado over the weekend. After scoring 15 runs in the first 2 contests, they had an abnormal pitchers’ duel Sunday, winning 3-2. 3B Isaac Paredes is providing the early pop with 3 HR and 8 RBI in 9 games.
The Halos dropped 2 of 3 against the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Sunday wasn’t a fun one as the Red Sox mauled them 12-2. On the plus side, the Angels are tied for 10th with 10 HR and 6 steals on the season. They’re 29th with a 5.58 ERA, though. OF Mike Trout has opened the season hitting .250 with 4 solo homers in 9 games.
Rays at Angels projected starters
RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Tyler Anderson
Eflin (1-1, 5.25 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 through 12 IP.
- Was great in a win over the Texas Rangers Tuesday (after a rough 1st start); he allowed 1 ER on 5 H, 1 BB with 5 K in 6 1/3 IP
- 3 career starts vs. Angels: 2-0, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 20 K in 19 IP
Anderson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) allowed 4 H and 2 BB while striking out 5 in 7 shutout frames in his win over the Miami Marlins Tuesday.
- 2023 home/road splits: 4-2, 4.86 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 13 games (12 GS) at home vs. 2-4, 5.93 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 14 games (13 GS) on the road
- 2 career GS vs. Rays: 1-0, 7.84 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 6 K in 10 1/3 IP
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Rays at Angels odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Angels +125 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+115) | Angels +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Rays at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Angels 3
Moneyline
There’s a lot to like for Tampa. They’re hitting .278 with a .370 OBP and .724 OPS against lefties this season. The Angels are 14th with 4.6 R/game, but a lot of those are coming via big flies. With Eflin’s latest start and sterling history against the Angels, RAYS -145 isn’t priced out of range for me, or you can look to the spread instead.
Run line/Against the spread
If you passed on the ML, RAYS -1.5 (+115) is the way to go here.
If you’d rather not double up, here’s a prop I’m targeting. The Angels were one of the most K-able teams in the league last year, and they’re trending there again at 20th with 9.22 per game. Eflin had just 5 K in each of his first 2 starts, and 7 feels a little too high here.
Take ZACH EFLIN UNDER 6.5 K’S (-155).
Over/Under
It’s slated to be 67 degrees with a 13-mph gust coming in from left-center. I still think this gets Over the total. The Rays are 6-4 O/U, and the Angels are 6-3 O/U.
With the way the Rays hit lefties, and the Angels’ ability to leave the yard, take the OVER 8.5 (-120).
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