Rays vs Braves Series Preview: Both Teams Struggling
Tampa Bay Visits Atlanta For Weekend Series
The Tampa Bay Rays (33-35) make the short trip to Atlanta to face the Braves (36-30) for a three-game series starting Friday. Tampa Bay followed up a four-game sweep at the hands of Baltimore by taking two of three from the Cubs. The Braves snapped a five-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Orioles on Thursday.
The Rays are in last place in the MLB AL East, while Atlanta is in second place in the NL East, but 9.0 games behind Philadelphia. The Braves vs Rays series previews showing Zack Littell and Chris Sale as the expected starters for Friday’s opener. Atlanta is -210, and the total on the game is 8.5.
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!
Tampa Bay’s struggles this season begin with a lackluster offense. The Rays are No. 22 in MLB with a .232 batting average and tied for last in Major League Baseball with 53 home runs. Tampa Bay is scoring just 3.9 runs per game, which is tied for No. 24 in MLB.
The Rays haven’t fared any better in the pitching department. Long a team strength, the Rays sit No. 24 in team ERA. The bullpen has been fairly average, but has been a little more effective when pitching on the road. Tampa Bay has 20 saves and 12 blown saves.
The Atlanta offense has cooled off a bit and that’s been evident in the Atlanta Braves standings. The Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is tied for No. 14 in MLB. Atlanta is averaging 3.82 runs in June, which has seen them go 4-7 so far.
The Braves pitchers are No. 8 in team ERA, and the bullpen has been decent, with 18 saves in 29 attempts. Atlanta’s bullpen has been consistent at home or on the road.
@rays Your favorite shortstop’s favorite shortstop #mlb #wanderfranco ♬ original sound – andrea
âš¾Friday’s Gameâš¾
Littell is 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA, and the Rays are 6-7 when he starts. He’s pitched a little better than his record indicates, but the Rays haven’t given him the run support. Tampa Bay is 3-2 in the games he’s started on the road.
Sale is having a pretty good season, going 8-2, and the Braves are 8-4 when he starts. He was roughed up by Oakland pretty bad in his last home start, which was his worst outing of the year. He did bounce back with a good effort at Washington last time he took the mound.
As weak as Tampa Bay’s offense is, it’s been a little worse against left-handed starters. With Atlanta 2-5 in home totals with Sale on the mound and the Rays 2-3 with Littell on the road, the under 8.5 is worth a shot for one of Friday’s MLB betting picks.
âš¾Saturday’s Gameâš¾
The Braves vs Rays series preview shows Ryan Pepoit and Charlie Morton as the scheduled starters in Saturday’s game. Atlanta will be decent-sized favorites in this game.
Pepoit hasn’t pitched bad, going 4-3 with a 4.17 ERA. Tampa Bay is 6-5 when he starts, although his three worst starts of the season have been a home. The MLB results show he’s 3-0 on the road with a 1.50 ERA.
Morton is 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA, although Atlanta is just 5-7 when he starts and 2-4 when he starts at home. He’s pitched at least five innings in 11 of 12 starts, so he’s doing what he’s paid to do, which is to eat up innings and give his team a chance to win.
It’s hard to overlook Pepoit’s away performances and the Rays could be a decent underdog play for Saturday.
âš¾Sunday’s Gameâš¾
The Braves vs Rays series previewshows Zach Eflin and Hurston Waldrep as the starters for the series finale. Eflin is 3-4 for the Rays and has a 4.06 ERA. Tampa Bay is 7-5 in the games he’s started and 4-3 on the road. Eflin has pitched better at home, as his road ERA is 5.02.
Waldrep is making his second lifetime start and his first was a forgettable one. He allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings against Washington.
Atlanta isn’t shy about throwing back on the mound, figuring first-game nerves got the best of him. He allowed four hits, but also walked four hitters. He had a 3.09 ERA in 10 starts in the minor leagues this season.
It’s hard to back Waldrep here, although the Braves know something about pitching. If he’s good enough for Atlanta, he’s probably good enough to bet, but it still isn’t easy. The Braves get the slightest of leans in this game.
For baseball betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
