Oakland Athletics vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 6-12-23 MLB Picks

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics meet Monday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. Tampa Bay is fresh off a weekend series versus the Rangers. After a split in the first pair, in the Sunday rubber match the Rays won by four runs. As for Oakland, they played the Brewers in their last series and won the first pair. In the finale the A’s took a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays took an 8-3 win over the Rangers Friday and then fell 8-4 in game two. On Sunday in the rubber match Tampa Bay jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and powered out a 7-3 win. Staring pitcher Shane McClanahan put up 7.0 innings with three earned on four hits and a walk. 

In the starter role Monday it’ll be Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin. This year in 11 starts Eflin is 8-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 66 Ks in 66.2 innings. Eflin is 44-46 with a 4.35 ERA in 138 career games (126 starts). 

Oakland Athletics 

Over on the A’s side, they were able to beat the Brewers 5-2 Friday and 2-1 in the Saturday matchup. In the finale Oakland scored four runs in the fourth inning during an 8-6 win. Starting pitcher JP Sears lasted 5.0 innings with two earned on six hits. 

As starter for the Monday matchup, the A’s will go with James Kaprielian. This year Kaprielian is 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA and 39 Ks in 43.2 innings over 11 games (eight starts). Kaprielian is 14-20 with a 4.64 ERA in 63 career games (55 starts). 

The Rays are 4-1 in their last five Monday games and 21-6 in their last 27 in game one of a series. Tampa Bay is 48-20 in their last 68 overall. 

Meanwhile, the A’s are 14-47 in their last 61 overall and 32-73 in their last 105 at home. Oakland is 17-38 in their last 55 versus the AL East. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m staying with Tampa Bay. The line's probably too thick to mess with, though. I like Kaprielian to have a good outing as well. He finished off May on a sketchy run (9.2 innings, seven earned for an 0-2 record in two starts) but Kaprielian posted 6.0 frames of one-earned ball versus Pittsburgh his last time up. On Sunday Tampa Bay  got a nice pitching effort overall, and the pen combined for 2.0 innings, one hit, two walks and two Ks. I think the Rays keep it going in this opener.