The Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels meet Wednesday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels prediction.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this one looking to build on a 6-4 win over the Angels from game two on Tuesday. Isaac Paredes leads the Rays with 12 hits including 4 home runs and 9 RBIs while Harold Ramirez has 12 hits of his own and Yandy Diaz has 10 hits with a pair of doubles and 9 RBIs. Jose Siri has 3 doubles with a team-high 17 strikeouts while Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero each have 3 doubles as well with Caballero posting a team-best .353 batting average. Zack Littell will get the start for the Rays here and is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 11 strikeouts this season. The Rays will meet the Giants after this series.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts
- The Rays have lost each of their last four games as favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games following a road win.
- The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in seven of their last nine games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven road day games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last four road games against American League opponents.
Los Angeles Angels Team Preview
The Los Angeles Angels come into this one looking to bounce back from their loss to the Rays in Tuesday’s matchup. Taylor Ward has a team-high 14 hits and 11 RBIs with 3 home runs and a pair of doubles with a team-high 12 strikeouts while Mike Trout has a team-high 6 home runs and a triple this season. Jose Soriano is listed as the starter for the Angels in this one and is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 3 strikeouts this season. The Angels will face the Red Sox following this series.
Los Angeles Angels Team Facts
- The Angels have won each of their last five games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim following a loss.
- The road team has covered the run line in eight of the Angels’ last nine games.
- The Angels have won the first inning in three of their last four games as underdogs against the Rays.
- The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five Wednesday home games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Rays and Angels.
Rays vs. Angels Prediction
I’m on the Rays here. I just don’t trust the Angels offensively to be able to hold their own in a matchup like this, and I think the Rays have a clear pitching edge here with Littell over Soriano. It’s a bit unsettling of how bad Tampa Bay’s bullpen is out of the gate considering this bullpen was their bread and butter for so long, but I think Littell’s been solid enough that he can shoulder the load and the Rays’ bats break through again here. Give me Tampa Bay in this one.