In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Dodgers prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, August 2, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers (64-46, 29-25 Away) have lost to the Boston Red Sox and defeated the Cincinnati Reds on their current three-series road trip, and will conclude it with this series against the Rays. In Game 1, the Dodgers secured a 5-0 victory. Freddie Freeman led the offense with three RBI, while Clayton Kershaw got the win after allowing no runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks across 6.0 innings of work.
This year, the Dodgers average 5.21 runs per game (3rd in the MLB) on a .255/.330/.442 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers’ staff has a 4.20 ERA (20th) and 1.31 WHIP (22nd). Shohei Ohtani leads the Dodgers with a .271 batting average, 38 home runs, and 73 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Dodgers is Blake Snell, who is 1-0 in two starts this season, with a 2.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 9.0 innings.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (54-57, 31-29 Home) beat the Baltimore Orioles, lost to the Chicago White Sox, were swept by the Cincinnati Reds, and lost to the New York Yankees to start the second half of the season. The Rays failed to score in a 5-0 defeat in Game 1 against the Dodgers on Friday. Shane Baz took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings.
This season, the Rays average 4.55 runs per game (11th in the MLB) on a .253/.318/.399 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.90 ERA (15th) and 1.21 WHIP (5th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .250 batting average, 27 home runs, and 71 RBI this season.
Drew Rasmussen will take the mound for the Rays on Saturday. The 30-year-old right-hander has an 8-5 record in 21 starts this year with a 2.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 100.1 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Dodgers’ last nine games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Rays’ last seven home games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Dodgers’ last seven road games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the last 12 games between the Dodgers and Rays.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank T5th in the league for walks allowed this season (318).
- The Rays rank 25th in the league for home runs allowed this season (144).
- The Dodgers rank T2nd in the league for RBIs this season (553).
- The Dodgers rank 2nd in the league for walks this season (399).
Rays vs Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including three of the last four. Blake Snell is back from a lengthy injury, and I don’t know what to expect in terms of a winner here, but I am going with a low-scoring affair. Snell will be highly motivated to perform well against his former team, while Drew Rasmussen is Tampa Bay’s best pitcher this season, and I expect him to keep the Dodgers to a maximum of two or three runs. Eight of the Dodgers’ last ten games went Under, and I am backing Under here as well.