In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Phillies prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 8th 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 16-20 this year, and they have lost the first two games in this series by scores of 4-8 and 0-7. In their game two loss, the Rays fell behind by six runs in the fourth inning and never had a chance after that point. Tampa Bay recorded just two hits, and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz and Caminero, who both had one hit in the loss. Tampa Bay started Baz, who allowed eight hits and six earned runs over 3.1 innings in the loss, while Rodriguez allowed two hits and one earned run in one inning of relief.
Prior to this series, the Rays won two out of three against the Yankees, but did lose all three against the Royals before that. Tampa Bay has lost six of its last eight games, and they are currently fourth in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.78 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 135 runs with a .239 batting average and a .307 on-base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with six home runs and 14 RBIs, while Jonathan Aranda has added five home runs and 17 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ryan Pepiot, who is 2-4 with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 38.1 innings pitched this year.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies are 21-15 this season after they won game two by a score of 7-0 on Wednesday night. Philadelphia scored six runs in the first four innings and cruised to the easy win the rest of the way. The Phillies recorded 11 hits in the game, and they were led by Stott, Turner, and Harper, who all had two RBIs in the win. Philadelphia started Sanchez, who allowed one hit over 6.0 innings for the win, while Walker picked up the save over the final three innings.
Prior to this series, the Phillies won two out of three against the Diamondbacks and two out of three against the Nationals. Philadelphia has won eight of its last ten games, and they are currently second in the NL East standings. The Philadelphia pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 174 runs with a .259 batting average and a .339 on-base percentage this season. Kyle Schwarber has led Philadelphia with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs, while Bryce Harper has added six home runs and 17 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Philadelphia is Jesus Luzardo, who is 3-0 with a 1.94 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 41.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Phillies will beat the Rays
- The Phillies have won each of their last nine night games against American League opponents.
- The Rays have lost each of their last nine games against the Phillies following a loss.
- The road team has covered the run line in 12 of the Rays’ last 13 games.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight home games.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight home games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last five night games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Phillies’ last four night games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last six road games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last five games against National League opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three games against NL East opponents.
- Taylor Walls has scored at least one run in each of his last seven Thursday appearances with the Rays as underdogs.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded two or more RBIs in four of his last five home appearances against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in seven of the Rays’ last eight night games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in three of his last four home appearances against NL East opponents.
- Josh Lowe has recorded at least one hit in 16 of his last 18 appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Schwarber has hit at least one home run in five of his last six appearances against AL East opponents.
- Kyle Schwarber has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six appearances against AL East opponents.
- Trea Turner has scored at least one run in each of the Phillies’ last eight games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Trea Turner has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven appearances against the Rays after playing the previous day.
- Jesus Luzardo has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with his team as a road favorite against AL opponents.
- Bryce Harper has recorded at least one hit in each of the Phillies’ last 10 games against opponents that held a losing record.
Rays vs Phillies Prediction
Philadelphia comes into this matchup looking to complete the series sweep, and they continue to play very well over the last three weeks. The Phillies have scored at least seven runs in four straight games, and they are starting Luzardo, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts. Tampa Bay has been inconsistent at the plate early in the season, and they are starting Pepiot, who has been better in his last two starts but struggled in the three starts prior to that. Take the Phillies once again here.