Braves vs Rays Prediction
The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Atlanta Braves for game two of their interleague series this Saturday from Tropicana Field. Atlanta took game two behind a strong effort from Spencer Strider, 6-1.
Braves Betting Preview
Atlanta moved to 60-28 after defeating Tampa Bay. The Braves have carried the NL East’s dominance over Tampa into the weekend, and they’ll look to bring the brooms back out here this Sunday. The Atlanta offense is scoring 3.83 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .337 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.55 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP. Ronald Acuna Jr. has multiple hits in four of the last six games, and he’s leading Atlanta in BA (.335) and hits (119), with 21 HR and 55 RBI. Matt Olson has recorded a hit in seven of the last nine games, and he leads ATL in home runs (29) and RBI (70). Ozzie Albies has scored a run in six of the last eight games, and he’s posting splits of .263/22/63.
Bryce Elder (7-1, 2.45 ERA, 51 Ks) will get the ball for Atlanta. The second-year pitcher came through with another strong effort in Cleveland last week, holding the Guardians to two runs over 6.1 innings of work en route to his seventh victory of the season. Elder has complimented Spencer Strider well atop the Braves rotation, and seven of his last ten outings have resulted in quality starts. Elder’s lone trip to Florida went well this season, as he managed to deal seven shutout innings in Miami back at the start of May.
Rays Betting Preview
Tampa Bay comes in at 57-33 after losing to Philadelphia. The Rays have now dropped five straight games to open July, and they’ll look to avoid a second straight sweep here at home. The Tampa offense is scoring 5.13 runs per game, while batting .264, with a .336 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.70 ERA, with a 1.22 WHIP. Yandy Diaz has multiple hits in both matchups with Atlanta, and he leads Tampa in batting (.318), with 39 RBI. Randy Arozarena has gone hitless over his last three, but he’s still first on the team in HR (16) and RBI (58). Wander Franco has recorded a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he leads the Rays in hits (94), while batting .282, with 44 RBI.
Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.24 ERA, 84 Ks) will take the hill for Tampa Bay. The eighth-year righty pitched well against his former team Philly last time out, tossing nine strikeouts over seven innings, but he still took the loss despite allowing just two runs. Eflin has been one of the more consistent pitchers in baseball this season, with eight of his last nine outings resulting in quality starts. Three of Eflin’s four losses have come away from Tampa, so that should be worth noting coming into this spot with Atlanta.
Atlanta vs Tampa Trends
Atlanta is 46-42 against the spread this season, with a 47-48-3 O/U record. Tampa Bay is 48-44 ATS this year, with a 50-38-4 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
There's no way Tampa Bay heads into the All-Star break losers of six straight. I don't want to believe it, but with their lone advantage being home field here, it’s hard to see them slowing the Braves down at this point. The Rays have been blitzed by the NL East, while the Braves have been phenomenal since the start of June. Atlanta has only dropped five games during this stretch, matching Tampa’s current losing streak, and I just don’t believe enough in a happy ending for the hosts here. Back the Braves here in game three, as they’ve been dominant over the past two months.
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