Rays vs. Orioles Thursday Prediction
Will Thursday’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles live up to the hype as a pitcher’s duel when the American League East rivals meet at 7:05 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
913 Tampa Bay Rays (+110) at 914 Baltimore Orioles (-130); 7.5 runs
Thursday, April 26, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
TV: TB (FS SUN); BAL (MSN2)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Orioles as a -140 favorite. As of this writing, 55% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Orioles to beat the Rays on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Rays’ Archer good vs. Twins but ERA still bloated
Chris Archer held the Twins to two runs in 6 2/3 innings on Friday but did not factor into the decision. It was his first good start of the season and he deserved to win the ballgame.
Unfortunately, the Rays’ bullpen conspired to blow a big league and deprive him of the win, although the team did pull out the victory in extra innings. Archer fanned five, walked one and surrendered four knocks — including a solo homer by Logan Morrison. His record holds at 1-1 and he lowered his ERA to 6.59 after five starts.
Orioles’ Bundy continues to dominate
Dylan Bundy was dominant in Friday’s victory over the Indians, striking out nine over six innings of one-run ball. The box score line really doesn’t do Bundy much justice in this one, as he was filthy. He loaded the bases in the first inning, then hit Edwin Encarnacion to force in a run, but after that he completely took the game over.
All told, Bundy fired 108 pitches, 71 of them for strikes. He boasts a 1.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 40/9 K/BB ratio through 31 2/3 innings on the year. He’ll look to continue his dominance when he does battle against the Rays at home on Wednesday.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 1-4 in Archer’s last five road starts and are winless in his last four outings coming off four days of rest.
Baltimore
The Orioles are 0-6 in Bundy’s last six starts versus American League East opponents and are 0-5 in his last five outings coming off a quality start in his last appearance.
Prediction:
Bundy continues to throw more sinkers and sliders than he did a year ago and in turn, his strikeout rate and swinging strike rate are both up. Simply put, his stuff has been filthy this season as he’s dominated start in and start out. On the other side, Archer also owns elite strikeout outside – he’s just been unlucky in most of his starts this season. He’s due for some positive regression. I see a pitcher’s duel Wednesday night in Baltimore.
The Pick: Rays/Orioles under 7.5