The Tampa Bay Rays (45-38) and Cincinnati Reds (30-54) meet Saturday for Game 2 of their 3-game interleague series at Great American Ball Park. First pitch slated for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Cincinnati leads 1-0.
Tampa Bay is 5-1 with an .867 OPS over the 6 games before arriving on the north bank of the Ohio River, But the Rays were set down 2-1 in a 10-inning series opener Friday.
The Reds had been 3-13 over their previous 16 home games before Friday. Their win over the Rays marked the club’s second straight at home for the first time since June 6-7.
Rays at Reds projected starters
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Hunter Greene
Rasmussen (5-3, 3.30 ERA) has made 13 starts this season. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 62 2/3 IP.
Allowed 2 runs (1 earned) in 4 2/3 IP in his last start. The July 2 outing at Toronto marked a return after 3 weeks on the Injured List (hamstring). Has thrived at home (1.65 ERA) while scuffling on the road (5.10 ERA).Greene (3-10, 6.01 ERA) is making his 17th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 through 79 1/3 IP.
Allowed 6 runs in a home start his last time out. Owns a 6.53 ERA since May 26 and a 6.91 ERA at home over that stretch. Is a 22-year-old rookie that only pitched 65 1/3 innings above Double-A.Rays at Reds odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
Money line: Rays -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Reds +133 (bet $100 to win $133) Run line (RL): Rays -1.5 (+100) | Reds +1.5 (-120) Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Rays at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 6, Rays 4
Money line
Rasmussen has been buoyed by a .267 batting average on balls in play. Greene is a fly-baller — a negative for the Rays — and he has been undone by a high 19.6% home-run rate on fly ball.
THE VALUE HERE IS ON CINCINNATI (+133).
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Run line/Against the spread
That value on the home 9 exists here as well for bettors that want to consider splitting action on the money line and this REDS +1.5 (-120) play.
Over/Under
Cincinnati hits much better at home and is swung around to its best platoon splits against southpaws. Tampa had been swinging hot bats heading into this series. Great American Ball Park is a hitter’s yard.
TAKE THE OVER 9.5 (-102).
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