Los Angeles (63-46) vs Tampa Bay (54-56)
August 1, 2025 at 07:35 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Tampa Bay +1.5 — Over/Under: +9.5
In this article, we will formulate a Dodgers vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 1, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers (63-46, 28-25 Away) are currently on a three-series road trip in the East. After losing to the Boston Red Sox, the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds. They couldn’t complete a sweep, as the Reds secured a 5-2 victory in Game 3. Freddie Freeman led the offense with a two-run homer, while Shohei Ohtani pitched for 3.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Emmet Sheehan took the loss.
This year, the Dodgers average 5.21 runs per game (2nd in the MLB) on a .255/.330/.442 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers’ staff has a 4.24 ERA (20th) and 1.32 WHIP (23rd). Shohei Ohtani leads the Dodgers with a .269 batting average, 38 home runs, and 73 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw, who is 4-2 in 12 starts this season, with a 3.62 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 59.2 innings.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (54-56, 31-28 Home) opened the second half with a series win over the Baltimore Orioles, but then lost to the Chicago White Sox, were swept by the Cincinnati Reds, and lost to the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay did win Game 1 against the Yanks, but lost the next three, including the most recent one, 7-4. Ryan Pepiot took the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 4.0 innings.
This season, the Rays average 4.59 runs per game (11th in the MLB) on a .254/.319/.401 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.89 ERA (13th) and 1.21 WHIP (5th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .252 batting average, 27 home runs, and 71 RBI this season.
Shane Baz will take the mound for the Rays on Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander has an 8-7 record in 21 starts this year with a 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 119.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Dodgers’ last eight games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Rays’ last six home games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 night games between the Dodgers and Rays.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Dodgers’ last six road games against AL East opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 6th in the league for batting average this season (.254).
- The Rays rank T6th in the league for walks allowed this season (316).
- The Dodgers rank 2nd in the league for RBIs this season (548).
- The Dodgers rank 2nd in the league for walks this season (397).
Dodgers vs Rays Prediction
The teams have traded wins in the past few years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. I am not sure who’s going to win this one, but I am pretty certain we are not going to see a lot of runs. Seven of Los Angeles’s last ten games went Under, and I am backing another one here. Clayton Kershaw did encounter some difficulties in July, when he posted a 4.71 ERA, but he did limit the opponents to fewer than three runs in three of his previous four starts. Shane Baz, on the other hand, hasn’t allowed more than three runs in five of his last six starts, and I wouldn’t be surprised if both pitchers get quality starts on Friday. Go with Under.