The Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Wednesday in MLB action from Steinbrenner Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Athletics will send out Mitch Spence for the start here and Spence is 2-3 with a 3.82 ERA and 55 strikeouts this season. In his career, Spence is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 14 strikeouts against Tampa Bay. Ryan Pepiot will get the start for the Rays here and is 5-6 with a 3.36 ERA and 92 strikeouts this season. In his career, Pepiot is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 12 strikeouts against the Athletics.

Athletics Recap

The Athletics come into this game looking to build on their 4-3 win over the Rays last time out to sit at 36-52 on the year. After this series, the Athletics will head home for a series against the San Francisco Giants.

Athletics Pushing For Sweep

Jacob Wilson leads the Athletics with 108 hits, 18 doubles and a .339 batting average while Tyler Soderstrom has 79 hits with 11 doubles, 14 home runs and 47 RBIs this season. Brent Rooker has 93 hits with 18 doubles, 17 home runs and 45 RBIs but also has 81 strikeouts this season while JJ Bleday has 39 hits with 10 doubles. Shea Langeliers has 52 hits with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs while Lawrence Butler’s also chipped in 14 stolen bases and 23 doubles as part of his 83 hits as well as 11 home runs and 34 RBIs.

Why the Athletics will win

The underdogs have won four of the Rays’ last five games.
The Rays have lost each of their last three games as favorites.
The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 18 of their last 19 games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last eight games against the Rays following a road win.

Athletics Player Prop Facts

Gio Urshela has recorded at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 appearances against AL East opponents.
Shea Langeliers has hit a home run in each of the Athletics’ last three road games against the Rays.
Shea Langeliers has recorded a Double in each of his last four appearances after playing the previous day.

Tampa Bay Rays Recap

The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to rebound from their loss at the hands of the Athletics from Tuesday’s matchup. After this series, the Rays will head to Minnesota for a series against the Twins.

Rays Lose Three In A Row

Jonathan Aranda has 89 hits with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. Brandon Lowe has 83 hits with 19 homers and 50 RBIs as well while Junior Caminero has 81 hits with 18 doubles, a team-high 21 home runs and 53 RBIs. Yandy Diaz has 93 hits with 16 doubles, 13 homers and 47 RBIs and Kameron Misner has 42 hits with 9 doubles, 5 homers and 22 RBIs as well while Christopher Morel has 62 strikeouts while Lowe has 80 strikeouts and Misner has 69 K’s as well this season. Jose Caballero has 30 stolen bases while Taylor Walls has 10 stolen bases as well this season.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

The Rays have won each of their last seven day games following a loss.
The Athletics have lost each of their last four day games following an extra innings win.
The Rays have covered the run line in eight of their last nine day games against American League opponents following a loss.
The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six day games against AL East opponents following a win.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances in day games against AL teams that held a losing record.
Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in three of the Rays’ last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
Ha-Seong Kim has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last eight appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
Jonathan Aranda ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.325) this season.

Total Runs Facts

Thirteen of the Rays’ last 14 games following an extra innings loss have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Athletics’ last six day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.

Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction

I’m on the Rays in this one. I get the case to be made for the Athletics at a heavy underdog price given what we’ve seen so far in this series, but the Rays for me are still too good of a team to just give up on, as Ryan Pepiot has started to pitch really well at home over the last month or so. The Athletics for me still have bullpen issues and the Rays were really close to rallying for the walk-off on Tuesday before falling short. In the end, I think the Rays will salvage something here, so give me Tampa Bay in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -225