Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves Prediction MLB Picks 6/14/24

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves meet Friday in MLB action from Truist Park. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:

• The Tampa Bay Rays recent form and player performance

• The Atlanta Braves recent form and player performance

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tampa Bay Rays

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Atlanta Braves

• Recent betting trends in games played between the Rays and Braves

• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Rays vs Braves game

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays played three games versus the Chicago Cubs this week. Tampa Bay won the first installment of that set 5-2 before a 4-3 loss in Wednesday’s matchup. In the Thursday rubber match the Rays eked out a 3-2 victory. Starting pitcher Taj Bradley was great on 7.0 clean frames, three hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts.

As starter for the Friday opener the Rays are going with Zack Littell. So far Littell is 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA and 69 Ks in 74.1 innings over 13 starts. Littell is 18-15 with a 3.99 career ERA in 186 games (31 starts).

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

Over on the Braves’ side, they just finished up against the Baltimore Orioles. Atlanta lost the first two games of that series 4-0 and 4-2. In the Thursday finale the Braves halted the sweep with a 6-3 win. Marcell Ozuna posted two hits and two RBI in the victory, while starter Reynaldo Lopez had 6.0 clean frames and eight Ks.

In the starting pitcher slot for Friday’s game the Braves are sending out Chris Sale. This year Sale is 8-2 with a 3.01 ERA and 92 Ks in 74.2 innings over 12 starts. Sale is 128-82 with a 3.10 ERA in 355 career games (275 starts).

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Braves’ last eight home games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Rays’ last 10 night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last four night games at Truist Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last four home games against American League opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Orlando Arcia has hit a home run in two of the Braves’ last three games as favorites against AL East opponents.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one RBI in nine of the Braves’ last 10 games at Truist Park against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Matt Olson has recorded a Single in each of the Braves’ last five games as favorites.
• Chris Sale has recorded a win in six of his seven previous appearances at Truist Park.
• Jarred Kelenic has recorded at least one total base in each of the Braves’ last seven games against AL opponents at Truist Park.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 10 games at Truist Park against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. has scored at least one run in each of his last nine Friday night appearances against teams that held a losing record.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Rays’ last six games as underdogs.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in each of the Rays’ last seven games.
• Isaac Paredes has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Josh Lowe has recorded an RBI in each of his last five road appearances against NL East opponents.
• Josh Lowe has scored at least one run in five of his last six road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Josh Lowe has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances with the Rays as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves Prediction

I’ll take a shot on the Braves here. Sale kicked off June with a rough showing versus the A’s, coughing up a whopping eight earned runs on nine hits and a walk in 4.0 innings during a no-decision. In the other two of his last three starts however, Sale is 1-1 with three earned in 14.0 innings. If he can bag another quality start Friday the Braves will be in good shape.

On Thursday Atlanta had a good day offensively with 12 team hits. Ozzie Albies had four of those hits alongside two runs and an RBI. Only Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud came up empty (a combined 0-for-9) at the plate. I like the Braves to keep it rolling Friday in the opener.