Phillies vs. Rays Sunday Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies have an opportunity on Sunday to sweep what has become a hapless Tampa Bay Rays team in the early going. The Rays are just 3-11 to start the season, which is the worst 14-game opening in the history of the franchise. Will the Phillies get it done?
Game Snapshot & Odds
979 Philadelphia Phillies at 980 Tampa Bay Rays
Sunday, April 15, 2018
1:10 p.m. ET, Tropicana Field
TV: CSP (PHI); FSFL (TB)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Rays as a -141 favorite. As of this writing, 51% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Rays to beat the Phillies on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Lively’s spot in the rotation could be up in the air moving forward
Ben Lively surrendered five runs in 5 2/3 innings Monday in a no-decision versus the Reds. If the Phillies had more faith in their pen, this might have been a short night for Lively. However, he did perform better after a rough start, and he would have gotten through six allowing four runs if he could have handled Billy Hamilton’s comebacker with two outs in the fifth. Lively’s rotation spot is still up in the air going forward. He has a 5.56 ERA after two starts.
Quotable: “I think that it’s about our players,” Phillies Gabe Kapler said after Saturday’s win. “They are producing every night. Our hitters continue to work deep counts and whoever is in the lineup that night is stepping up.”
Yarbrough to get another start following impressive debut
Ryan Yarbrough yielded one run in three innings and struck out five Wednesday against the Red Sox. Yarbrough has a 2.63 ERA and an 11/5 K/BB in 13 2/3 innings. He’s likely battling it out with Yonny Chirinos to be the Rays’ top rotation fallback in Triple-A.
Quotable: “It still takes some guys more time to get into the flow of the game,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after losing his third straight game Saturday. “A lot of credit goes to Philadelphia’s lineup, they came out and attacked and didn’t miss pitches.”
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies have won four of their last five meetings with the Rays.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are just 2-11 in their last 13 games overall and are 0-5 in their last five home games.
Prediction:
When there’s a full slate in Major League Baseball, there might be only 4-5 underdogs getting plus odds that will win. That’s why when we have an opportunity to take a hot team getting plus odds, we need to bounce. The Phillies have won five straight. They’re playing an opponent that has floundered out the gate and is 2-11 in their last 13 games. Baseball is random, sure, but let’s not over think this one.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +131