The Tampa Bay Rays go for a three-game sweep of the Athletics on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field, and the market is treating this one as a mismatch. Tampa Bay sits at -280 on the moneyline with the total posted at 7.5 runs. The pitching matchup explains the price. Drew Rasmussen has been one of the American League’s steadiest starters, while Jeffrey Springs carries a 5.93 ERA into the series finale. Our headline play leans on how the run environment sets up, and the line movement on the total backs that read. Below is the full breakdown.
Last Updated: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL |
| When | Thursday, September 17 – 1:10 PM ET |
| TV | Rays.TV, NBCS-CA |
Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Rasmussen (14-5, 2.81 ERA) gets the ball for Tampa Bay. The right-hander has 160 strikeouts against just 27 walks in 160.1 innings. That works out to roughly nine strikeouts and about one and a half walks per nine innings. His last two starts were both seven-inning, one-run outings, against Texas on Sept. 5 and Houston on Sept. 11.
Springs (4-13, 5.93 ERA) opposes him for the Athletics. The left-hander has 105 strikeouts and 54 walks in 135 innings. That walk rate, about 3.6 per nine, is the main vulnerability. His recent work has been better, however. Springs blanked Seattle over seven innings on Sept. 5, then allowed two earned runs over five innings against the Mariners on Sept. 11. The confirmed probable starters are listed on MLB.com.
Tampa Bay (92-59) enters on a five-game winning streak. The Rays won the first two games of this series, 2-1 on Tuesday and 4-3 on Wednesday. Wednesday’s win pushed their AL East lead to 4 1/2 games over the Yankees. The Athletics (61-91) have kept both games close. For context on how we approached Wednesday’s game, see Athletics vs. Rays Prediction September 16: 6 Straight for Tampa Bay?
Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | +1.5 (+100) | +225 | U 7.5 (-105) |
| Rays | -1.5 (-120) | -280 | O 7.5 (-115) |
Odds accurate as of Thursday, September 17, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds – Futures – Props
Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Athletics | 14% | 86% | Rays |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Athletics vs. Rays Prediction — Do the Arms Keep This One Quiet?
The total is where the baseball read and the market line up best. Rasmussen is the load-bearing piece. He strikes batters out, rarely walks anyone, and has recorded at least 21 outs in each of his last two starts. A starter who works that deep limits traffic and shortens the game for his bullpen. Both games in this series have also stayed low, with three runs on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday. Tropicana Field is a domed ballpark, so conditions stay controlled and there is no outside variable to handicap.
The market agrees. The under opened at +105 and has moved to -105, while the over shortened from -125 to -115. The number held at 7.5, but the price shifted toward the under. That confirms the pitching thesis rather than replacing it. The price remains close to even, which leaves room for value.
The case against is Springs. His 5.93 ERA and 54 walks suggest Tampa Bay’s lineup could do most of the work alone. The Rays bullpen also covered four innings Wednesday, with Kevin Kelly, Cam Booser and Cole Sulser all pitching. If Rasmussen exits early, a busy relief group comes into play. A crooked number from Tampa Bay could push this over by itself.
The Pick: Under 7.5 (-105)
Athletics vs. Rays Prediction — Is Rasmussen Worth the Premium?
The starting pitching gap is the widest edge on the board. Rasmussen has the far better strikeout and walk profile, and Springs has more than three times as many losses as wins. Tampa Bay is also playing its best baseball of the stretch run, with five straight wins. The question is how to back the Rays. A low total projects a tight game, and both games in this series were one-run results. A home favorite at -1.5 also loses the chance to extend a lead in the ninth inning. That makes the run line a riskier vehicle here than the straight win.
The case against is the price. The Rays moneyline opened at -270 and has moved to -280, which requires a win probability of roughly 74 percent to break even. That move came with the public, so it adds no sharp signal. The Athletics have also hung around in both losses. This is a lean driven by the mound matchup rather than a bargain, so size it accordingly.
The Pick: Rays Moneyline (-280)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
No priced third angle stands apart, so the focus stays on what to watch. The first two innings will say a lot about Springs. If he gets ahead in counts and avoids walks, the under looks better. If he falls behind early, the Rays can build a lead that pressures the total. Rasmussen’s pitch count through five innings is the other key indicator. Meanwhile, the Athletics’ relievers threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday, which keeps a close game live late.
Our picks for Athletics vs. Rays:
- Under 7.5 (-105)
- Rays Moneyline (-280)
MLB Athletics vs. Rays FAQ: Thursday September 17, 2026
What time does the Athletics vs. Rays game start?
The Athletics vs. Rays game starts at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, September 17, 2026. It is an afternoon series finale at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays have already won the first two games of the three-game set and are looking to finish a sweep.
What channel is the Athletics vs. Rays game on?
The Athletics vs. Rays game airs on Rays.TV and NBCS-CA, the regional broadcast homes of the two clubs. Rays.TV carries the Tampa Bay feed, while NBCS-CA carries the Athletics broadcast. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, September 17, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Who is pitching for the Rays today?
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen starts for the Rays today. He is 14-5 with a 2.81 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 160.1 innings this season. The Athletics counter with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who is 4-13 with a 5.93 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 135 innings.
Who won the last meeting between the Athletics and Rays?
The Rays won the last meeting, beating the Athletics 4-3 on Wednesday, September 16, at Tropicana Field. Nick Martinez earned his 15th win of the season, and Cole Sulser closed it out for his third save. The victory gave Tampa Bay its fifth straight win.
Where do the Rays stand in the AL East?
The Rays lead the AL East at 92-59, sitting 4 1/2 games ahead of the New York Yankees entering Thursday. Tampa Bay extended that lead with Wednesday’s win over the Athletics, who enter the series finale with a 61-91 record.