The Washington Nationals and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Saturday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Washington Nationals prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
Washington played the San Diego Padres in their last series. The Nationals had a rough time in that one, losing all three 7-6, 9-7 and 8-5. In the Friday opener of the weekend set versus the Rays, the Nationals took a 3-1 loss. Mitchell Parker put up 5.0 innings with two earned runs in the start.
In the starter role for Saturday the Nationals will go with Jake Irvin. This year Irvin is 5-6 with a 3.13 ERA in 16 starts. He has 81 Ks in 92.0 innings. Over 40 career games Irvin is 8-13 with a 3.97 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Over on the Rays’ side, they took on the Seattle Mariners in their last set. Tampa Bay won 4-3 Monday and 11-3 Tuesday before a 5-2 loss in the finale. On Friday versus the Nationals, the Rays got 6.0 clean frames from starter Zach Eflin.
It’ll be Aaron Civale in the starter role for the Rays on Saturday. This year so far Civale is 2-5 with a 5.20 ERA over hist 16 starts. Civale has a career record of 33-31 with a 4.11 ERA in 102 starts total.
Rays vs Nationals Pick Injury Notes
This week, Rays SP Shane McClanahan (elbow) increased his throwing distance to 135 feet.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last seven road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Rays’ last five day games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last six games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six games as favorites.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Randy Arozarena has scored at least one run in nine of the Rays’ last 10 games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Jose Siri has hit at least one home run in each of the Rays’ last two games against NL East opponents.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one RBI in eight of the Rays’ last nine games.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 20 games.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in each of the Rays’ last seven home games against NL opponents.
- Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one total base in each of the Rays’ last 20 games.
- Aaron Civale has recorded five or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine home appearances.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Harold Ramirez has recorded at least one Single in five of his last six appearances in day games.
- Joey Gallo has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as an underdog against AL East opponents.
- Lane Thomas has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Nationals’ last six day games.
- Eddie Rosario has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last eight games against AL East opponents.
- Eddie Rosario has recorded at least one total base in each of the Nationals’ last eight games against AL East opponents.
- Lane Thomas has scored at least one run in each of the Nationals’ last six day games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Washington Nationals Prediction
I’ll stick with the Rays. Civale had a spotty start versus Minnesota back on June 18 with 3.2 innings and four earned runs. He was able to bounce back in his last outing versus the Pirates however, notching 5.0 innings with one earned on three hits and a walk. As for Irvin, he’s coming off a good outing himself with 6.0 innings and one earned in Colorado.
On Friday the Rays posted nine team hits in a pretty well-rounded offensive effort. Jose Siri managed a pair of solo homers to lead the way. I like Tampa Bay to keep it going Saturday as Civale posts a quality start.