MLB Predictions: Are the Athletics a good bet to beat Rays at home? 7/18/17
Will the Athletics knock off the Rays on Tuesday night when they host Tampa Bay at 10:05PM ET?
The Match Up: Rays vs. Athletics, 10:05PM ET, Oakland Coliseum
Tampa Bay is in the midst of a good run and is having a solid season. The Rays have won seven of their lsat 10 games and are now 50-44 overall. That said, the club is 23-25 on the road while the A’s are 27-22 at home this season. Oakland has also won seven of its last 10 games but is just 42-51 on the season.
According to oddsmakers, the Rays are -120 money line favorites to win tonight’s game. That makes the A’s -103 money line underdogs. The total, meanwhile, is sitting at 9 runs.
The Pitching Match Up: Blake Snell (TB) vs. Chris Smith (OAK)
Snell has worked 52 innings this season and owns a 0-5 record with a 4.85 ERA. In his last start, he took the no-decision against the Cubs on July 5. Snell pitched five innings of shutout ball but the Rays lost, 7-3. He also struck out five but walked four in the no-decision.
As for Smith, he also earned a no-decision in the A’s 4-3 win over the Mariners on July 8. He pitched six innings while allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked one while allowing one home run in a decent performance.
Our Prediction
Tampa Bay has dropped five straight Snell starts and is 1-6 in his last seven outings on the road. The Rays are also winless at 0-4 in Snell’s last four starts versus a team with a losing record.
On the other side, the A’s are 5-1 in their last six home games and have won eight of their last 11 at home versus a left-handed starter. In their last five games against American League East opponents, they’re 4-1.
Tuesday MLB Prediction: Oakland Athletics -103
