The Tampa Bay Rays (71-74) and Philadelphia Phillies (87-58) wrap up a 3-Game interleague series Wednesday. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Phillies lead 2-0
The Rays were pounded 9-4 Tuesday as the Phillies have won the first 2 games of the series by an 11-5 margin. The Over/Under (O/U) has split 1-1 in the series.
Tampa Bay is still technically alive for a postseason spot, but it is 6 games back of the Minnesota Twins for the final Wild Card in the American League with 17 games to play.
The Rays have won just twice in the past 6 outings, and Tampa Bay is 7-2 in the past 9 outings as an underdog on the run line while winning 3 of those games outright. The Under holds a slight 3-2 edge in the past 5 outings.
In interleague games, Tampa Bay has dropped 5 of the past 6 tries while going 3-1-1 in the past 5 against the NL.
The Phillies have rolled up 8 victories in the past 10 tries while cashing on the run line as favorites at a 5-2 clip in the past 7 tries. The Over is on a 4-1 run in the past 5 outings.
Rays at Phillies projected starters
RHP Shane Baz vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Baz (2-3, 3.27 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 55 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 5 K in 2-0 road setback vs. Baltimore Orioles Friday
- 2024 road splits: 1-2, 2.76 ERA, 32 2/3 IP, 10 ER, 1 HR, 1.32 WHIP, .235 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 15 BB, 23 K in 6 starts
- Has never faced Phillies
Wheeler (14-6, 2.59 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 0.96 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 173 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 16-2 road victory vs. Miami Marlins Friday
- 2024 home splits: 9-3, 2.27 ERA, 95 1/3 IP, 24 ER, 8 HR, 0.92 WHIP, .187 OBA, 24 BB, 106 K in 15 starts
- Career vs. Rays: 0-2, 4.91 ERA (22 IP, 12 ER), 3 HR, 1.23 WHIP, 13.1 K/9 in 3 starts
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 Phillies odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +166 (bet $100 to win $166) | Phillies -198 (bet $198 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-132) | Phillies -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)
Rays at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Phillies 4, Rays 2
Moneyline
The Phillies (-198) are a little too expensive for a standalone bet, costing nearly 2 times your potential return. Over the long term that’s not a recommended betting strategy. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, including Philadelphia is not priced out of line.
AVOID as a singular wager, however.
Run line/Against the spread
The PHILLIES -1.5 (+110) is a decent play at plus-money, although the pitching matchup between Baz and Wheeler should be a very good battle.
Philadelphia has 5 wins in the past 7 games since Sept. 4, with 4 of the victories coming by 2 or more runs. That includes Tuesday’s 9-4 victory as a heavy favorite (-176).
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-122) is a low number, but it’s worth playing in this solid pitching matchup.
Baz has a solid 3.27 ERA in his 10 previous starts, and he has managed a tremendous 2.76 ERA on the road. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 starting assignments for Baz, including 2-0 in the past 2 starts on the road.
And for Wheeler, he has managed a 2.59 ERA this season while turning in an amazing 2.27 ERA at home, which is shocking considering Citizens Bank Park is a bandbox. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 starts and 5-2 across the past 7 outings.
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