Mets vs. Rays odds, tips and betting trends

The Tampa Bay Rays (32-12) will visit the New York Mets (21-23), in the final game of a three-game series, Thursday at 1:10 PM ET.

Oddsmakers project the Rays as a small favorite (-114 on the moneyline) against the Mets (-105). The Rays will start Taj Bradley against the Mets and Tylor Megill (4-2).

David Robertson (1.0 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 K) picked up a win in the Mets’ 8-7 victory over the Rays yesterday. Pete Alonso led the way offensively, going 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Pete Fairbanks (0.1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 K) was handed the loss for the Rays.

Here is what you need to get ready for Thursday’s Rays vs. Mets matchup, including viewing options.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Mets Odds and Betting Lines

Tipico Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 9:23 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

• Favorite: Rays (-114, bet $114 to win $100)
• Underdog: Mets (-105, bet $105 to win $100)
• Over/under: 9

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Rays Stats and Trends

Rays Betting Records

• The Rays have entered the game as favorites 38 times this season and won 29, or 76.3%, of those games.
• Tampa Bay has a record of 29-9 in games when bookmakers favor them by at least -114 on the moneyline.
• The Rays have a 53.3% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Games involving Tampa Bay has gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 25 of 44 chances this season.
• The Rays are 27-17-0 against the spread this season.

Taj Bradley (Rays Probable Starter)

• Bradley will make his first start of the season for the Rays.
• The right-hander will make his MLB debut at 22 years old.
• The Mets have scored 187 total runs this season, making them MLB’s 20th-ranked scoring offense on the season so far. As a team they have a .240 batting average while hitting 47 home runs (17th in the league).

Rays Batting Stats

• The Rays have hit 86 homers to lead Major League Baseball this season.
• Fueled by 175 extra-base hits, Tampa Bay leads MLB with a .508 slugging percentage this season.
• The Rays rank first in the majors with a .275 team batting average.
• No team has scored more than the 275 runs Tampa Bay has this season.
• The Rays get on base at a .350 clip, best in the league.
• Tampa Bay ranks 16th with an average of 8.6 strikeouts per game.

Mets Stats and Trends

Mets Betting Records

• The Mets have come away with four wins in the 10 contests they have been listed as the underdogs in this season.
• This year, New York has won two of seven games when listed as at least -105 or worse on the moneyline.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Mets have a 51.2% chance of walking away with the win.
• Contests with New York has gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 20 of 43 chances this season.
• The Mets are 16-27-0 against the spread in their 43 games that had a posted line this season.

Tylor Megill (Mets Probable Starter)

• Megill gets the start for the Mets, his ninth of the season. He is 4-2 with a 4.02 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings pitched.
• His last appearance came on Friday against the Washington Nationals, when the righty threw five innings, surrendering one earned run while giving up four hits.
• The 27-year-old has amassed an ERA of 4.02, with 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings in eight games this season. Opponents have a .255 batting average against him.
• Megill has one quality start under his belt this year.
• Megill enters the game with six outings of five or more innings pitched this year.
• He will take the mound against a Rays offense that ranks first in the league with 415 total hits (on a .275 batting average). The squad also slugs a collective .508 (first in the league) with 86 total home runs (first in MLB play).

Mets Batting Stats

• The Mets rank 17th in MLB action with 47 total home runs.
• This season, New York is 22nd in baseball, slugging .385.
• The Mets are 20th in MLB with a .240 batting average.
• Averaging 4.3 runs per game (187 total), New York is the 20th-highest scoring team in MLB.
• The Mets’ .322 on-base percentage ranks 14th in the majors.

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• Game Day: Thursday, May 18, 2023
• Game Time: 1:10 PM ET
• Stadium: Citi Field
• TV Channel: MLB.tv
• Live Stream: Fubo (Watch for free)