Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

The Los Angeles Angels (69-83) and Tampa Bay Rays (93-60) meet Thursday in the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 1:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 3-2

Los Angeles won 8-3 Wednesday to even the series and end a 6-game skid in which they had  been outscored 38-13. The Angels are 4th in the AL West and have long been eliminated from playoff contention.

With Wednesday’s loss the Rays are 2 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East. Both teams have already clinched a playoff spot. The Rays play the Toronto Blue Jays, who are battling for a Wild Card spot, in 6 of its final 8 games, starting with a weekend series in Tampa.

Angels at Rays projected starters

RHP Griffin Canning vs. RHP Zach Eflin

Canning (7-7, 4.42 ERA) makes his 21st start (23rd appearance). He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 116 innings.

• Last outing: Loss, 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 7 K in an 11-2 home loss Friday vs. Detroit Tigers
• Career vs. Tampa Bay: 1-1, 4.40 ERA (14 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 14 H, 3 BB, 16 K in 3 appearances (2 starts)

Eflin (15-8, 3.44 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 167 2/3 innings.

• Last outing: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 8 K in a 7-1 road win Friday vs. Baltimore Orioles
• Career vs. Los Angeles: 2-0, 0.64 ERA (14 IP, 1 ER), 9 H, 2 BB, 10 K in 2 starts

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Angels at Rays odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:11 p.m. ET.

Angels at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Tampa Bay 6, Los Angeles 3

PASS.

I like Tampa Bay to win here but as a -250 favorite the line is not worth the risk. Bet on the run line and/or total instead.

LEAN RAYS -1.5 (-115).

The Rays are 6-4 in their last 10 and 8-2 in their last 10 matchups with Los Angeles. Tampa Bay has also been dominant at home (51-26) while the Angels have struggled on the road (34-43). Tampa Bay is also 4-1 in Eflin’s last 5 starts while Los Angeles is 1-4 Canning’s last 5 starts.

BET OVER 7.5 (-115).

The Over is 6-2-2 in the last 10 matchups and 5-4-1 in Tampa’s last 10 overall. The Over is also 3-2 in Canning’s last 5 starts and hit in his last start vs. Tampa Bay. Similarly, the Over is 3-2 in Eflin’s last 5 starts and hit in his only 2 career starts vs. Los Angeles.