The Tampa Bay Rays will be facing off against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. Fox Sports Sun will broadcast this interleague matchup and the game gets underway at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Tampa Bay (+140) is entering this game as the underdog to Atlanta (-150) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this night game at 8.5 runs (-105 for the over and -115 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Rays +1.5 runs (-155) and Braves -1.5 runs (+135).
The Rays have gone 70-62 SU this year and are 72-59 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 15.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 15.3 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 74-57 SU and 67-62 ATS. The team’s gained 18.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.5 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in all seven of them.
Braves games have had an over/under record of 59-65-5 in 2018. The Rays have also been a great under bet with a total record of 55-72-4.
Diego Castillo will get the nod for Tampa Bay. Castillo (3-2, 3.23 ERA) has racked up 41 punchouts in 39 innings so far. He has yet to face the Braves this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Braves are preparing to start lefty Sean Newcomb (11-6, 3.57 ERA), who has 131 strikeouts and 67 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.29. Newcomb is 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.47, a WHIP of 1.22 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 4.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Atlanta offense is putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .268/.346/.429 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Braves’ offense has been led by outfielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Markakis is hitting .311/.375/.477 with 14 home runs, 83 RBIs and 70 runs scored, while Freeman’s line is .310/.393/.510 with 20 homers, 78 RBIs and 80 runs.
In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.67 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.32 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.71, along with a WHIP of 1.18.
Rays hitters have slashed .256/.331/.395 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offense has been led by third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is hitting .301/.357/.375 with four home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .307/.377/.433 with two homers, 31 RBIs, 50 runs and 27 stolen bases.
The Rays have gained 7.3 units and are 22-16 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 24 that’ve hit the under against ies.
Tampa Bay Rays at Atlanta Braves Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Tampa Bay has tallied 13 extra-base hits over its last five games. Atlanta has 15 XBH over its last five.
Atlanta has posted 19.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.
The Rays have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit nine over their last 10.
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