The Atlanta Braves (58-28) begin a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (57-33) on Friday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting since 2021 when the Rays went 2-1
The Braves were off Thursday after cruising to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Atlanta is 9-1 in its last 10 games and is 8 games up in the NL East.
The Rays lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in 11 innings on Thursday, their 5th straight defeat. Tampa Bay is now only 4 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
Braves at Rays projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow
Morton (8-6, 3.57 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 90 2/3 innings.
- Has tallied 5 or more K’s in 15 of his 16 starts
- Has been credited with a win in 3 straight starts
Glasnow (2-2, 4.50 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 14.0 K/9 in 36 innings.
- Has given up 3 ER or more in 4 of his 7 starts
- Has recorded 6 or more strikeouts in all 7 starts
Braves at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Braves at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Rays 5
Moneyline
Considering how these teams have performed recently, I’ll side with the BRAVES (-105) on the road in Friday’s potential World Series preview. Atlanta is 10-1 in its last 11 games against a team with a winning record and 7-1 in its last 8 interleague games.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Even with the Rays sputtering ahead of the All-Star break, they should keep this game close at home.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (-120).
While Glasnow is striking out batters at a high clip, he’s giving up a 48.8% hard-hit rate and a massive 18.3% barrel rate this season. That is bad news with him facing a Braves squad that leads the league in ISO (.269), wOBA (.401), and wRC+ (151) against right-handed pitching since the start of June.
The Over is 8-3 in Atlanta’s last 11 road games against a right-handed starter. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is 7-1 to the Over in its last 8 home games against a right-handed starter.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup