The All-Star Game proved to be highly entertaining, albeit not quite so much when compared to the Home Run Derby, with the American League edging out the National League for a 4-3 win. You never really know what is going to happen in these games, but the stats for the first half of the season would certainly have suggested that the AL had an edge over the NL in that one. In the National League, only 2 teams have reached or surpassed the 50-win mark, with the Dodgers and Braves being those teams. Things are a little different in the American League, where no less than 6 teams have reached the half-century mark in wins.
With that in mind, you can see how the Wild Card race might get a little exciting in the AL. One team that figures to be in that race is the Tampa Bay Rays, who have held their own really well in the AL East. The Rays will swing back into action this weekend with a road trip to Baltimore to face the struggling Orioles, a series you would certainly expect Tampa to win.
Rays vs Orioles MLB Week 15 Odds & Analysis
- When: Friday, July 12 at 7:05 PM EST
- Where: Camden Yards, Baltimore
- Starting Pitchers: Chirinos vs. Bundy
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: 105.7 Sports
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Week 15 Odds: TBA
Nationals vs Phillies MLB Lines, Game Info & Pick
Why bet on the Tampa Bay Rays?
The future looks a little uncertain for the Rays, as their owners continue to look at potentially splitting their future home games between Tampa and Montreal. One thing that is certain is that this team is very much alive and well in the hunt for a playoff spot.
They finished the first half of the season at 52-39, and while that has them sitting 6 ½ games back of the New York Yankees in the AL East, it also means that they are in sole possession of the top Wild Card spot in the American League, although the race there is tight. The Rays have been okay against the Orioles this season, going 5-3 in the series to this point. Overall, they are 26-17 SU and 25-18 ATS on the road. It will be Yonny Chirinos (7-4, 3.15 ERA) who starts for the Rays on Friday.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.56
- Hits: 8.84
- Walks: 3.25
- Strike Outs: 9.45
- Runs: 3.68
- Hits: 7.56
- Walks: 2.93
- Strike Outs: 9.65
Why bet on the Baltimore Orioles?
The Baltimore Orioles ended the first half of the season wearing the label that no-one wants, which is that of the worst team in baseball. They closed things out with a record of 27-62, which is nothing short of abysmal. Camden Yards used to be a very difficult place to go and get any type of result, but that has certainly not been the case this season, with Baltimore managing just 11 wins in their own ballpark.
While certainly not stellar by any means, the Orioles going 5-5 in the 10 games prior to the break is perhaps their best run of form this season, so we should perhaps not write them off that quickly in this series. The Orioles will have Dylan Bundy (4-10, 4.65 ERA) on the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.21
- Hits: 8.21
- Walks: 2.73
- Strike Outs: 9.04
- Runs: 6.07
- Hits: 9.36
- Walks: 3.60
- Strike Outs: 7.67
Pirates vs Cubs MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick
Rays vs Orioles MLB Week 15 Betting Trends
- Rays are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games against an opponent in the American League East division
- Orioles are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 7 games played on a Friday
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Rays vs Orioles
It’s always easy to pick any team going against the Orioles, but beating any team in the MLB, no matter how bad they are, is never an easy task. That said, I would be stunned if the Rays did not get the win on Friday.
Score: Tampa Bay Rays 6 – Baltimore Orioles 1
