Rays vs. Royals Prediction
After winning a pair of 1-run games over the Kansas City Royals the last two nights, will the Tampa Bay Rays manage another victory today at 2:15PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
911 Tampa Bay Rays at 912 Kansas City Royals
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
2:15PM ET – Kauffman Stadium
TV: FSKC; SUN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, this game is considered even, as both the Royals and the Rays are listed with a money line of -105 to win. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 9 runs. The public betting currently has 75 percent of the wagers going on the Rays on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rays take first two
The Rays opened their series with the Royals by earning a 2-1 win on Monday and then followed that up with a 6-5 victory on Tuesday. Tampa is now18-22 overall and 10-12 on the road. The Rays are putting up 4.21 runs per game this season while allowing 4.77 per contest.
Jacob Faria gets the start for the Rays this afternoon. He has started eight games this season and has a 3-2 record with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Faria has pitched 40.2 innings and has 33 strikeouts and 17 walks.
Royals lose fourth straight
Kansas City has dropped four straight and six of their last seven following the latest 1-run loss on Tuesday. The Royals are now 13-29 overall and 6-15 at home. Kansas City is putting up 4.02 runs per game this season while allowing 5.73 per contest.
The Royals send Jason Hammel to the mound tonight. He is 0-4 through eight starts. Hammel has a 6.13 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Through 47 innings of work, Hammel has 25 strikeouts with 16 walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays have won four of Faria’s last five starts and seven of his last 10 starts on grass. They are also 6-2 in their last eight against AL Central opponents.
Kansas City
The Royals have lost seven of Hammel’s eight starts this year and they are 2-10 in their last 12 games against AL East opponents.
Prediction:
Neither team has a great pitcher on the mound today, but the Rays have been the more consistent team throughout the season. The Rays have done well against AL Central opponents and Hammel is bringing nothing positive to the team right now. He gives up a lot of runs and doesn’t have much of a lineup behind him.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -105