Tampa Bay Rays at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays (4-0) and Washington Nationals (1-3) hook up for the 2nd game of a 3-game series Tuesday at Nationals Park. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 1-0.

The Rays are 4-0 for the 1st time in club history. Tampa took Game 1 Monday after a brilliant start from Drew Rasmussen. He threw 6 shutout innings, surrendering 2 hits and striking out 7 in 6-2 win. SS Wander Franco has begun the season on another level, going 8-for-15 (.533) with a homer, 4 RBIs and 2 steals.

The Nats took Sunday’s game from the Braves, but have lost their other 3 games by at least 4 runs. 1B Dominic Smith is hitting .357 and has been the lone bright spot for a team collectively hitting .189.

Rays at Nationals projected starters

LHP Josh Fleming vs. RHP Chad Kuhl

Fleming was 2-5 with a 6.43 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 35 IP over 10 games and 3 GS last season.

• Will serve as the opener and may go 3-4 innings
• Features a 91-mph fastball, changeup, cutter and curve he uses down in the zone trying to induce groundballs

Kuhl was 6-11 with a 5.72 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 137 IP with Colorado last season.

• Didn’t face Tampa last year, but he threw a good game in this ballpark while with the Rockies. He went 6 1/3 IP allowing 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB and fanning 7.
• Allowed just 3 ER over 10 1/3 IP in his last 2 spring starts with 11 K’s

Rays at Nationals odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:44 a.m. ET.

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Rays at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 5, Nationals 4

Washington could steal this game with a good effort from Kuhl, but I’m just not confident enough to put money on it. If you have a free bet and you want to place it on the Nationals +150, it’s not a terrible idea. Otherwise, PASS.

Kuhl is better than his numbers indicated last year. He had a solid 1st half with a 4.11 ERA and 1.40 WHIP and was pitching well in Colorado’s thin air, but the wheels fell off after the break. Confidence is key for him as evidenced by the 2.27 ERA in his 6 wins last year. The home side covers. Take the NATIONALS +1.5 (-105).

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Tampa has scored at least 4 runs in every game, but is just 1-2-1 O/U. The Nats should be able to plate some runs with Tampa starting an opener without overpowering stuff. It’s forecasted for 76 degrees with an 8.1-mph breeze blowing out to left-center. All these variables are enough for me to take the OVER 8.5 (-120).

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