Rays vs. Reds prediction and odds for Wednesday, April 19 (Value on total)

The Tampa Bay Rays wrap up its road trip that saw them lose for the first time all year in Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon.

It’s an early start time at Great American Ball Park and also they debut of Reds right hander Levi Stoudt, who will try to send the Rays back to Tampa Bay on a losing note. The Rays will counter with emerging star Drew Rasmussen, who has been stellar in the early part of the season.

The Rays are the massive road favorite with Rasmussen on the mound, but is it worth betting?

Here are the odds and our best bet for Wednesday’s first game of the day:

Rays vs. Reds odds, run line and total

Rays vs. Reds prediction and pick

The Rays offense is starting to cool off after a 13-0 start, hitting below .250 since the team hit the road to face the Toronto Blue Jays to start last weekend. While the team will face a debutant in Stoudt, I believe that the offense will continue to sputter as it has been over reliant on the long ball so far this season. If Stoudt is able to keep the ball in the park, I believe he can put together a strong enough start to keep this game under the total.

I’m bullish on the under because I have a reliable pitcher on the other side for the Rays in Rasmussen. He has been firing from the mound this season, striking out 19 batters while only walking four so far this season and has a glistening 2.60 ERA that is supported by a 2.57 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), meaning that this is no fluke, Rasmussen has simply been lockdown this season.

I like the under on getaway day on Wednesday afternoon given the Rays floundering offense and the excellence from Rasmussen. I think we are getting a good price due to the unknown that is Stoudt.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.