The Tampa Bay Rays (42-42) and Kansas City Royals (47-39) begin a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is slated for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Royals lead 2-1
The Rays just completed a 4-2 homestand winning the finale Sunday 5-0 against the Washington Nationals. RHP Taj Bradley struck 11 in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Tampa Bay got HRs from LF Randy Arozarena, 1B Isaac Paredes and 2B Jose Caballero. Tuesday begins a 6-game road trip.
Kansas City is in the midst of a 10-Game homestand, winning 5 of the 1st 7 Games. RHP Seth Lugo had another stellar outing on Sunday, throwing 6 scoreless innings striking out 10 Cleveland Guardians. SS Bobby Witt Jr. went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple.
Rays at Royals projected starters
RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Brady Singer
Littell (2-5, 4.17 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 86 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 11-3 home victory against Seattle Mariners last Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: 0-2, 5.13 ERA (33 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.74 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 in 7 starts
- First start against the Angels
Singer (4-4, 3.12 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 89 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 5-1 home victory against Kansas City Royals Wednesday
- 2024 home splits: 4-2, 2.80 ERA (54 2/3 IP, 17 ER), 0.99 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 in 9 starts
- Last start vs. Rays: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 7-4 road victory on May 25
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Royals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +106 (bet $100 to win $106) | Royals -124 (bet $124 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+155) | Royals +1.5 (-188)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +108 | U: -132)
Rays at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 4, Rays 3
Moneyline.
BET ROYALS (-124).
This will be a tightly contesting game because both teams are playing good baseball at the moment. Both have won 5 of their last 7 games.
Neither pitcher has earned a win since May 19, but they have been hard-luck losers in a lot of cases. Each pitcher has only 1 outing in his last 7 starts where he allowed more than 3 ER.
I’m giving the edge to Singer in this matchup because of his splits at Kauffman this season. The Rays have also struggled against the AL Central, going 6-9.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’m going to keep my bet to the moneyline in this Game.
Over/Under
PASS.
My lean is to the Under (-132) but I’m not interesting in betting it when you’ve got to pay that much juice.
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