Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Rays vs Orioles Odds
The Rays are a -130 moneyline favorite at MLB betting sites. The O’s come back at +102 odds, while the total is set at 8.5 runs.
Rays vs Orioles Analysis
It’s been a fantastic season for the Rays, who are currently in first place in the American League East. Tampa owns a 76-51 record, and sits four games clear of the second-place New York Yankees as of Friday afternoon. With Aaron Judge still sidelined for the Bronx Bombers, this division is Tampa’s to lose at this point. However, the Rays are looking to find their best again, losing four of their last six games to divisional rivals, ahead of the series opener Friday against Baltimore.
Tampa Bay will be feeling confident for this contest with McClanahan on the hill, though. The left-hander may not be the Cy Young from a few years ago, but he’s still putting up solid numbers. McClanahan has a 9-6 record and 3.25 ERA across 21 starts this season, and he’s surrendered just eight home runs. McClanahan only lasted 3.1 frames last week against the Orioles, where he allowed three earned runs, and the lefty will be searching for a bounce-back outing here.
Baltimore may be at the bottom of the AL East, but the Wild Card race is an absolute toss-up at the moment, and the O’s are somehow just two games out of the final postseason spot. Craig Albernaz’s squad has a 61-67 record, and ahead of Friday’s series opener, they’ve lost four in a row. The Yankees swept them at home, and the Rays beat them in Monday’s rubber match at Tropicana Field.
The Orioles’ offense is struggling lately, scoring just five runs across their previous three contests. It won’t be easy against McClanahan, but Baltimore has managed to swing it relatively well against lefties, posting a 101 wRC+. Young takes the ball for the O’s, and he’s been in rough form. The right-hander gave up four earned runs on August 17 to the Rays, including three home runs. In fact, he’s allowed a minimum of three earned runs in three of his last four appearances.
Rays vs Orioles Betting Trends
- Rays are 9-0 in their last nine games on grass.
- Rays are 6-0 in their last six road games against teams with a losing home record.
- Orioles are 4-0 in their last four home games against teams with a losing road record.
- Orioles are 4-0 in Brandon Young’s last four starts on four days of rest.
Rays vs Orioles Picks
McClanahan has been far more reliable lately than Young, and while Baltimore has managed to create some offense against southpaws, they’re in poor form lately. I’ll ride the Tampa Bay moneyline behind a solid start from their lefty.
Pick: Rays -130/TonyBet
