Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
| Kansas City Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+215 | 8 -110 / -110 | +1.5 +108 |
| Tampa Bay Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -260 | 8 -110 / -110 | -1.5 -130 |
While the Oakland Athletics have received the most notoriety for futility in baseball in 2023, the Kansas City Royals aren't far behind. The Royals are 21-54 entering play on Friday just a little bit better than the Athletics, who sit at 19-58.
The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in all of baseball at 52-26, all while playing in the toughest division in baseball, the American League East. The Rays are destined for the playoffs as they continue to strive for what would be their first World Series championship in franchise history.
While anything can happen in baseball, the Royals are a mere speed bump on the Rays' road to October.
The Parlay (+427):
- Zach Eflin Over 5.5 Strikeouts
- Luke Raley 2+ Total Bases
- Rays -1.5
Same-Game Parlay – Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays
Zach Eflin Over 5.5 Strikeouts
Zach Eflin has gone over this number in two of his last three starts and has a 25% Strikeout Rate overall this season. The Royals' projected lineup tonight has combined for a 24% Strikeout Rate against right-handed pitching. Six hitters in Kansas City's projected lineup have at least a 21% Strikeout Rate against right-handed pitching this year. Eflin has completed at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts, and if he pitches six innings again, he should have no trouble putting up six strikeouts against the Royals.
Luke Raley 2+ Total Bases
With Wander Franco out of the lineup tonight, expect Luke Raley to hit second in the batting order for the Rays. It's a favorable matchup for Raley against Kansas City starter Zack Greinke. Raley has a .305 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season, and Greinke has allowed a .246 ISO to left-handed hitters. It seems these two are on a collision course toward an extra-base hit for Raley tonight. Raley only needs a double or two singles to cover this leg of the same-game parlay.
Rays -1.5
The Rays lost to the Royals last night, but I think they'll win decisively here as they are a far superior team. The Rays have a significantly better lineup, even without Wander Franco. Tampa Bay is third in all of baseball by averaging 5.85 runs per game this year, while Kansas City is last in all of baseball by averaging 3.32 runs per game on the road. The Rays have the starting pitching advantage with Eflin, and Kansas City has the third-worst bullpen ERA in all of baseball at 4.79, almost a full run higher than the Rays' bullpen ERA of 3.97. This one shouldn't be close.
Pick: Royals-Rays SGP +427 |
