Mets vs Rays Prediction 8/31/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Mets vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Monday, August 31st at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

New York Mets Betting Preview

The New York Mets are 61-76 this year after they lost two out of three against the Astros by scores of 1-3, 6-2, and 3-6. In game three, New York led 3-2 in the fifth inning, but allowed the next four runs for the loss. The Mets recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Soto, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI. Thornton allowed six hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Pintaro picked up the loss in relief. Prior to that series, New York lost two out of three against the Brewers and two out of three against the White Sox. 

This season, New York has a 4.08 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 562 runs with a .236 batting average and a .306 on base percentage. Juan Soto has led the Mets with 22 home runs and 54 RBIs, while Bo Bichette has added 14 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Robert Stock, who is 0-3 with a 7.40 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP over 20.2 innings pitched this year. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 82-54 this season after they swept the Padres in three games by scores of 9-4, 7-6, and 5-4. In game three, Tampa Bay erased a 3-1 deficit in the ninth inning and scored twice in the 11th for the win. The Rays recorded seven hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by DeLuca, who went 1-5 with one home run and three RBIs. Rasmussen allowed four hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Wells picked up the win. Prior to that series, Tampa Bay won two out of three against the Tigers, but lost two out of three against the Orioles before that.

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.77 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 616 runs with a .260 batting average and a .329 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 17 home runs and 79 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 37 home runs and 87 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ian Seymour, who is 9-5 with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 107.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last eight home games against the Mets.
• The Mets have lost seven of their last eight games against the Rays following a loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in five of their last six night games.
• The Mets have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four road games against AL East opponents.

Why the New York Mets will win

• The Rays have lost five of their last six games as favorites against NL East opponents following a home win.
• The Mets have won four of their last five games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in nine of the last 10 games between the Mets and Rays.
• The Mets have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games against AL opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Rays’ last nine home games after going to extra innings have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Mets’ last six night games against AL opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Ian Seymour’s last four home appearances as a starter.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in six of the Mets’ last seven games as underdogs.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Junior Caminero has hit a home run in five of the Rays’ last six games as home favorites against NL opponents.
• Ian Seymour has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
• Junior Caminero has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 10 games as favorites.
• Yandy Diaz ranks 3rd in the league in Hits (157) this season.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Robert Stock has recorded four or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with the Mets as underdogs.
• Carson Benge has recorded at least one hit in each of the Mets’ last nine games as road underdogs against AL opponents.
• Luis Torrens has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Rays rank 1st in the league for walks allowed this season (341).
• The Rays rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (1188).
• The Mets rank 26th in the league for batting average this season (.236).
• The Mets rank 25th in the league for RBIs this season (537).

Mets vs Rays Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup on a four game winning streak and they lead the AL East by 4.5 games. The Rays are 46-23 at home this year, while the Mets are 29-37 on the road. New York has lost four of their last five games and they have allowed 6+ runs in three of those losses. The Mets are starting Stock, who has allowed 7, 1, 0, and 8 earned runs in his last four starts, while Seymour has allowed three earned runs in three straight outings. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 8