In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, August 21st at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 61-66 this year after they lost both games against the Yankees by scores of 3-13 and 4-6. In their game two loss, Tampa Bay erased a late 3-0 deficit, but allowed three runs in the 10th for the loss. The Rays recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Feduccia and Seymour, who both had two RBIs in the loss. TB started Rasmussen, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Fairbanks picked up the loss in relief.
Prior to that series, the Rays won two out of three against the Giants and two out of three against the Athletics. Tampa Bay has lost three games in a row and they are currently fourth in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 4.00 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 563 runs with a .249 batting average and a .312 on base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 35 home runs and 85 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 24 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Joe Boyle, who is 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 32.2 innings pitched this year.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 63-65 this season after they won two out of three against Miami by scores of 8-3, 7-4, and 2-6. In their game three loss, St. Louis cut the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth inning, but didn’t score anymore runs for the loss. The Cardinals recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Nootbaar and Contreras, who both had one RBI in the loss. STL started Pallante, who allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Granillo allowed one earned run in relief.
Prior to that series, the Cardinals lost all three against the Yankees and two out of three against the Rockies. St. Louis has lost six of their last eight games and they are currently fourth in the NL Central standings. The St. Louis pitching staff has a 4.25 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and a .257 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 558 runs with a .249 batting average and a .318 on base percentage this season. Wilson Contreras has led St. Louis with 17 home runs, 67 RBIs, and four stolen bases, while Alec Burleson has added 15 home runs and 57 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Sonny Gray, who is 11-6 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 140.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Cardinals will beat the Rays
- The Cardinals have won each of their last six road games against American League opponents.
- The Rays have lost each of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games following a road loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 home games after playing the previous day.
- The Rays have lost the first inning in each of their last three night games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
- The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last six road games against American League opponents.
- The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against the Rays.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last 13 home games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Cardinals’ last seven night games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last eight games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last four night games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three games against the Cardinals.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last eight night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Alec Burleson has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as favorites against AL opponents.
- Sonny Gray has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last 11 appearances with his team as a favorite against AL opponents.
- Willson Contreras has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances against AL opponents.
- Sonny Gray has recorded a win in eight of his last nine appearances with the Cardinals as favorites against AL opponents.
- Willson Contreras has recorded a Double in four of the Cardinals’ last five games as road favorites.
Rays vs Cardinals Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after a rough two game series with the Yankees and they have allowed 26 runs in their last three games. The Rays are 32-31 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 28-35 on the road. St. Louis has dropped six of their last eight games and they are starting Gray, who has allowed 6, 1, 1, 3, and 6 earned runs in his last five outings. The Rays are going with Boyle, who has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four. I think I trust Gray more than I trust Boyle, so I will take the Cardinals here.