Rays vs. Braves MLB Betting Odds, Predictions: Clash of division leaders in Atlanta
Every MLB team will be in action on Tuesday, including an Interleague matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves.
This fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, and has a first pitch time of 7:15 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia and will be broadcast on MLB.TV.
My article will preview this crucial matchup between the Rays and Braves by giving you an overview of the current betting odds, a closer look at both teams, and my best bet for the game.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
A quick look at the MLB betting odds shows that the Atlanta Braves are the small favourite. As it stands, the Braves have moneyline odds of -116, while the Rays are an underdog and have moneyline odds of -102.
In terms of the runline, you can bet on the Braves +1.5 at odds of -184, while betting on the Rays -1.5 carries odds of +152.
The total for this game has been set at 8.5 runs. You can bet on over 8.5 total runs at odds of -106, while betting on under 8.5 total runs would give you odds of -114.
Trends to consider include the over being 7-2-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings between these two teams and the over being 8-2 in Tampa Bay’s last 10 games.
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay enters this game with a record of 85-58, and as such, is currently in first place in the American League East Division, leading the New York Yankees by four games.
The Rays are coming off a series split against the Texas Rangers this past weekend and are now 6-4 SU over their last 10 games.
After an off-day on Monday, Tampa Bay is set to start Freddy Peralta in Game 1 of this series.
This season, Peralta is 7-11 with a 4.96 ERA. He has especially struggled at home, having posted an ERA of 6.19 across 13 starts. In these starts, Peralta has allowed 49 runs (47 earned) over 68.1 innings.
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta enters this game with a record of 85-59 and is in first place in the National League East Division. The Braves are coming off a 2-2 series split with the Philadelphia Phillies, meaning their lead in the division remains at four games.
Scheduled to start Game 1 of this series for Atlanta will be AJ Smith-Shawver, who has a record of 0-1 this season and an ERA of 7.13. Granted, Smith-Shawver has only had a handful of starts this season, but has allowed 14 earned runs over 17.2 innings.
More specifically, the 23-year-old has made just one home start this season (5.40 ERA), having allowed three earned runs over 5.0 innings.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Rays vs. Braves?
Given how evenly matched these teams look, the over appears the best betting option.
This is especially true because the pitching matchup does not look favourable for either team. Peralta has had success against the Braves this season (when he was still with the New York Mets); however, he has still been much too inconsistent to trust.
The same can be said for Smith-Shawver, who has allowed three runs in all of his starts this season except for one.
Add in the fact that the Braves’ offence ranks ninth in runs per game, while the Rays’ offence ranks 11th in the same category, and our best bet will be Over 8.5 Total Runs (-106), with the Braves winning 6-4.
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