Rays vs Brewers Series Odds: Milwaukee Small Favorites
Tampa Arrives on Three-Game Losing Streak
The Tampa Bay Rays visit the first-place Milwaukee Brewers for three games beginning Monday. The Rays (13-16) fell to last place in the AL East after being swept by the White Sox. The Brewers (17-10) lead the NL Central by .5 games over the Chicago Cubs. The difference between the two teams has been offense. Neither pitching staff has been that great, but the Brewers are No. 4 in team batting. Tampa Bay is No. 16. Ryan Pepiot gets the start for the Rays against Bryse Wilson. The Rays vs Brewers series odds see Milwaukee -112 in the series’ opening game. The total on the game is 8.5.
The Rays come into this game averaging 4.0 runs per game. Tampa Bay doesn’t hit for much power but can steal bases fairly well. You have to be on base in order to steal, however, and the Rays .244 team batting average could use a little improvement.
Tampa Bay’s bullpen has been a disappointment in the early going of the season. The Rays relievers have a 5.22 ERA and have just eight saves in 15 attempts. The Rays have a few solid starters but need the bullpen to step up if they plan on being a playoff contender.
The Brewers are coming off 15-5 and 15-3 setbacks at the hands of the Yankees. Those two games definitely hurt Milwaukee’s pitching stats, dropping the Brewers to No. 21 in team ERA. The bullpen, which has been a strength, was roughed up pretty badly, allowing 19 runs in those two games.
The Brewers hit the ball fairly well and are averaging 5.26 runs per game. Milwaukee is tied for fifth in home runs and is third in MLB in stolen bases.
Rays vs Brewers 
Location: American Family Field
Day/Time:
Monday’s Game
The game opened even, so there’s been a little bit of an MLB line movement towards Milwaukee. Pepiot has been pretty decent for the Rays this season. He has three starts allowing one run or less and two starts where he allowed four and six runs. Tampa Bay is 2-3 in his starts this season.
Wilson is making his third start of the MLB season but has pitched just eight innings in his first two. That’s not ideal, coming off a pair of games where the bullpen was used heavily. He hasn’t pitched badly, allowing just two runs in those eight innings.
It’s no surprise the public is backing the Brewers a little bit here. It’s one thing to lose to the Yankees, but something else to be swept by the worst team in MLB. The Rays offer a little bit of value, so take Tampa Bay +102 for one of Monday’s MLB picks.
Tuesday’s Game
The Rays vs Brewers series odds are going to see Milwaukee solid favorites in this game. Freddy Peralta is tied for third in the MLB Cy Young odds in the National League at +1000. The Brewers have won all five of his starts this season, although he’s coming off his worst start of the year. Peralta allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Pirates.
Tyler Alexander is coming off a solid start against the Yankees. He allowed two hits and no runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Rays are 1-1 in his two starts. He last pitched in relief, allowing two runs in four innings against Detroit. The Rays will try to get five innings out of Alexander.
The line is this one is going to be huge, which will make it a little tricky to play the Brewers. With Alexander throwing a little better recently, the under could be worth a look.
Wednesday’s Game
The Rays vs Brewers series odds should see Milwaukee as mid-sized favorites in this game. Colin Rea will get the start for Milwaukee against Zach Eflin. Eflin has three strong starts and three that haven’t been that impressive. He’s allowed five runs or more three times and one run or less in his other three starts. It’s just a question of which Eflin shows up for the Rays.
The Brewers are 4-1 when Rea starts, but he’s coming off a rough outing against the Yankees. He allowed five runs in six innings against the Yankees, just the second time he’s allowed three or more runs. Rea hasn’t pitched more than six innings all season.
Eflin can be very good, but he can also have the occasional rough outing. Rea has been a little more consistent overall, although you don’t want to be laying big odds against Eflin. The way to play this one is most likely on the under.
Rays vs Brewers Lines
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