Rays vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets

bleachernation.com

08 April 2023

Rays vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets

The Tampa Bay Rays (7-0), led by Wander Franco on a two-game home run streak, are -291 favorites on the moneyline to defeat Ryan Noda (homers in two straight contests) and the Oakland Athletics (2-5). First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET on Saturday, live from Tropicana Field and airing on BSSUN.

Tampa Bay’s Jeffrey Springs and Oakland’s Shintaro Fujinami have been named the starters for this contest.

Rays vs. Athletics Odds

Rays odds to win: -291
Athletics odds to win: +235
Spread: Rays -1.5
Total: 7.5 runs

Rays vs. Athletics Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

Date: Saturday, April 8, 2023
Time: 4:10 PM ET
TV: BSSUN

Who Will Win Rays vs. Athletics?

Rays and Athletics Betting Trends

The Rays have been the moneyline favorite a total of seven times this season, and they’ve won each of those games.

Tampa Bay has ynot played as moneyline favorites of -291 or shorter.

This season, the Athletics have been the underdog seven times and won two of those games.

Oakland has not entered a game this season as a bigger underdog on the moneyline than the +235 odds on it winning this game.

The Rays have played in seven games with over/under set, and have combined with opponents to go over the total four times (4-2-1).

The Athletics’ games have gone over the total in four of their seven chances.

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Rays Stats & Insights

The Rays score the most runs in baseball (53 total, 7.6 per game).

The Tampa Bay Rays lead baseball with 18 total home runs, averaging 2.6 per game.

The Rays have the fourth-best batting average in the league (.285).

Tampa Bay strikes out 7.1 times per game, the third-best mark in MLB.

The pitching staff for the Rays has a collective 8.6 K/9, which ranks 18th in the majors.

Tampa Bay’s 2.43 team ERA ranks fourth across all MLB pitching staffs.[single_bonus id=”94702″]

Athletics Stats & Insights

The Athletics have scored 27 runs (3.9 per game) this season, which ranks 22nd in MLB.

Oakland has hit eight homers this season, which ranks 14th in the majors.

The Athletics rank 26th in MLB with a team batting average of just .221.

Oakland ranks 14th in strikeouts per game (8.7) among MLB offenses.

The Athletics average the 25th-most strikeouts per nine innings (7.5) in the league this season.

Oakland has the 29th-ranked ERA (6.33) in the majors this season.

Rays Key Players to Watch

The Rays will send Springs (1-0) out for his second start of the season.

Franco leads Tampa Bay in home runs with three, runs batted in with eight and his batting average of .379 is also best on his team.

Randy Arozarena has collected nine hits this season and has an OBP of .484. He’s slugging .600 on the year.

Yandy Diaz has six hits this season and a slash line of .261/.370/.565.

Jose Siri is a key run producer for Tampa Bay with a .318 average, two homers and eight RBI.[single_bonus id=”94703″]

Athletics Key Players to Watch

Fujinami will take to the mound for the Athletics, his second start of the season.

Tony Kemp is batting .222 with a double and five walks.

Esteury Ruiz is hitting .227 with three doubles and three walks.

Ramon Laureano leads the Athletics with two home runs.

Noda’s two home runs lead his team.

Rays and Athletics Injuries

Rays: Tyler Glasnow: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Shane Baz: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Shawn Armstrong: 15 Day IL (Neck), Andrew Kittredge: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Athletics: Manny Piña: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Drew Rucinski: 15 Day IL (Undisclosed), Freddy Tarnok: 15 Day IL (Undisclosed), Paul Blackburn: 15 Day IL (Finger), Kirby Snead: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)[single_bonus id=”94700″]