Rays vs Orioles Predictions, Odds & Player Props to Target (May 8)

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 2, 2023

Only 26-years old, the Rays southpaw is getting better and better with each passing season. Last year, he got chose to his first all-star team and finished with the fifth best earned run average in the junior circuit.

He’s showing an increased ability to punch batters out this campaign, with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, the best mark of his young career. McClanahan has not given up more than two earned runs in any outing this season and is one of several reasons Tampa is now the favorites in the AL East Division odds.

McClanahan vs Gibson Stats

Signed to a one year, $10 million dollar contract in the off-season, 35-year old Kyle Gibson appears to be a solid and steady addition to a Baltimore rotation that doesn’t feature another starting pitcher above 30-years of age.

There has been some cause for concern when looking at his two most recent outings though. After beginning the year with a 4-0 record and 3.60 ERA in his first five starts, the 6’6 righty has gotten banged up for 18 hits and nine earned runs in his last two appearances while only striking out three hitters.

He’ll have to be at his best on Monday against an MLB starting lineups in Tampa, that features three players who ranked in the top 12 in batting average in the American League coming into Sunday’s games.

Rays vs Orioles Player Props Picks

If there was one team Randy Arozarena raked against last year, it was the Baltimore Orioles. He crushed six homers off O’s pitchers last season, more than he hit against any other team. The outfielder is currently on an eight game hitting streak with four long balls over that span.

Facing a pitcher who has an average fastball speed of 92 miles per hour and tops out below 95, expect Arozarena to jump all over Gibson in his plate appearances. Roll the dice on the Tampa slugger to bang one out at +550 odds.

In their last two games, the O’s offense has struggled putting up just 13 hits and six runs over 21 innings. Going against McClanahan is likely to only prolong those woes. Take the Tampa lefty to record a win at money +120 odds.

Although Tampa might be considered favorites in this game anyway with their stellar performances so far this year, McClanahan is the main reason they are chalk in the MLB odds.

Rays vs Orioles Predictions

In the span of just over a month, the Rays have gone from +2100 to +750 in the odds to win the World Series, as they are currently the third betting favorite behind the Braves and Astros.

Baltimore has also been a pleasant surprise in the early going, but we have to take the visitors who just rallied for a huge win against another AL East rival on Sunday.

The Rays have not lost a single game McClanahan has started this season and have actually won by at least four runs in six of his seven starts. We’re going to roll with Tampa again in what should be a comfortable victory to kick this series off.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+110)