The Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB game 1 action at Tropicana Field. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction. This article will include a Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds Pick.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Reds are 49-53 on the year after playing the Nationals and Braves. The Cincinnati Reds have scored 15 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 6 games. The Cincinnati Reds have split their last 4 games when scoring 4 or more runs. Elly De La Cruz leads the Cincinnati Reds with 100 hits and 45 RBI, while Jonathan India and Spencer Steer have combined for 178 hits and 104 RBI.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 52-51 on the year after playing the Yankees and Blue Jays. The Tampa Bay Rays have scored 20 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 4 of their last 6 games. The Tampa Bay Rays have won 13 straight games when scoring 4 or more runs. Yandy Diaz leads the Tampa Bay Rays with 104 hits and 46 RBI, while Isaac Paredes and Amed Rosario have combined for 168 hits and 81 RBI.
Cincinnati Reds vs Tampa Bay Rays Pitching Pick Matchup
Nick Lodolo gets the ball for the Cincinnati Reds, and he is 8-3 with a 3.51 ERA and 89 strikeouts this season. Lodolo has allowed 14 hits and 10 runs in his last 14.2 innings. Lodolo has a 2.84 ERA and .173 allowed batting average in 38 road innings. Lodolo is 1-1 with a 10.24 ERA and 10 strikeouts in his career against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Shane Baz gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and he is 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA and 12 strikeouts this season. Baz has allowed 17 hits and 6 runs in 13.2 innings this season. This will be Baz’s 13th career MLB start. This will be Baz’s second career game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Why the Cincinnati Reds will Beat the Rays
- The Reds have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as favorites following a win.
- The Reds have covered the run line each of their last eight night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as home favorites following a win.
- The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as road underdogs.
- The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Randy Arozarena has recorded a Single in each of the Rays’ last seven games as home favorites.
- Randy Arozarena has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 12 games as favorites.
- Josh Lowe has scored at least one run in each of his last four appearances against the Reds.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Double in three of the Rays’ last four home games.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one total base in each of the Rays’ last seven games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in each of the Rays’ last two games against the Reds.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded an RBI in each of the Rays’ last four games against NL Central opponents.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Spencer Steer has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last four games against AL opponents.
- Nick Lodolo has recorded seven or more strikeouts in six of his last eight road appearances.
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- TJ Friedl has scored at least one run in five of his last six road appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Santiago Espinal has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances with his team as a road underdog against the Rays.
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 road appearances against AL opponents.
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 12 road appearances against AL opponents.
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last five road appearances against AL opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction
The Tampa Bay Rays probably should be the play at home in a pick em spot, given they’ve been the better team overall. However, Shane Baz doesn’t have the sample size to trust, and he’s still working his way into being a starter. Nick Lodolo has far and away more reps under his belt, and he’s actually been solid this season, with some of his best starts coming on the road. Pick ’em prices, I’m going to give the edge to the Reds because of Lodolo on the mound.