Mariners vs Rays Series Odds: Seattle Gets Nod in Opener
Seattle Travels Across the Country For a Three-Game Series
The AL West-leading Seattle Mariners visit the Tampa Bay Rays for three games beginning Monday. The Mariners have a 6.0-game lead in their division, while Tampa Bay is 4.0 games out of the final wild card spot. Both baseball teams aren’t playing quite up to their records.
Seattle has an x-W/L record of 42-38, while Tampa Bay’s is just 33-45. The Mariners vs Rays series odds show Bryan Woo and Taj Bradley as the starters for Monday.
- The Mariners are -112 on the road and the total is 7.5.
Seattle is the only team above .500 in the AL West, although the hard-charging Astros are pushing them there. It’s not a matter of Seattle playing great baseball, especially on offense.
The Mariners are No. 28 in team batting average but can hit the occasional long ball. Seattle is No. 10 in home runs but averages just 3.9 runs per game. That’s in the bottom five scoring-wise.
Seattle’s pitchers have been solid all season and are No. 7 in team ERA. The relief pitchers have been better than average, although they’ve struggled on the road. The Mariners have 23 saves in 31 opportunities but are just nine for 15 on the road.
Tampa Bay is another team that isn’t scoring much. On the bright side, the Rays have Junior Caminero in the MLB pipeline and he’s ranked the No. 3 prospect by Major League Baseball.
The Rays are taking it easy with him and don’t appear to be in a rush to call him up. They could use his power, as Tampa Bay is No. 27 in home runs.
The Tampa Bay pitchers haven’t been great, ranking No. 24 in team ERA. The bullpen is below average and has 23 saves in 38 attempts. The Rays have pitched better on the road.
Mariners vs Rays 
Records: Seattle Mariners (45-35), Tampa Bay Rays (38-40)
Day/Time:
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Stream: RSNW, BSSUN
Monday’s Game
Woo has been pretty solid for the Mariners. Seattle won his first six starts of the MLB season before losing at Cleveland the last time he took the mound.
- The Mariners are 3-1 when Woo starts on the road and his away ERA is 2.45.
Woo is throwing strikes, although he’s not striking out too many hitters.
The Rays are 4-4 when Bradley takes the mound. He hasn’t pitched badly for the most part. He has had one really poor start, which has distorted his stats.
Tampa Bay hasn’t given him much run support, so he’s one of the pitchers who probably deserves a little better in the win-loss column.
The MLB odds are a shade low for Seattle, although it’s easy to make a case for Tampa Bay in this one. The Rays have one of the least feared when it comes to MLB lineups today.
Bradley could be worth backing here. His traditional stats aren’t the greatest, but he’s thrown better than they suggest. That will at least put a little value on the home team.
Tuesday’s Game
The Mariners vs Rays series odds are showing Luis Castillo and Zack Littell as the scheduled starters for Tuesday. Castillo has pitched better at home for Seattle, who is 8-8 when he takes the mound. The Mariners are 3-5 when he starts on the road and his ERA is 4.53.
Littell isn’t pitching that bad for the Rays. He’s had a couple of poor outings that have hurt his numbers. Tampa Bay is 7-8 when he starts and he has a 3.87 ERA. His ERA drops to 3.00 at home, although the Rays are just 3-5 when he pitches at home.
It’s hard to give either team much of an edge in this game. Seattle will likely be the smallest of favorites, but the under may be the way to go here.
Wednesday’s Game
The Mariners vs Rays series odds show George Kirby and Ryan Pepoit are the scheduled starters for Wednesday. The Mariners are likely the smallest of favorites.
Seattle is 8-8 when Kirby starts this season and he’s pitching to a 3.47 ERA. Kirby has pitched much better at home and the Mariners are 2-7 when he starts away from home. His ERA climbs to 4.41 on the road.
Pepoit doesn’t have the greatest stats, but the Rays are 7-6 when he starts. His 4.65 ERA isn’t anything special and it’s worse at home. Tampa Bay is 3-5 when Pepoit starts at home and his ERA climbs to 5.35.
It might be hard for the Rays to continue to win with Pepoit on the mound. Tampa Bay is 5-0 in one-run games when he starts and that can’t be counted on to continue.
With both pitchers struggling more in today’s location, the over could be the best play in this game. The MLB predictions have both teams scoring four runs, which will be enough to push it over the number.
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