Los Angeles Angels vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Angels Look to Upset Rays in Exciting Matinee Showdown at Tropicana Field

The MLB season continues with an exciting matinee showdown between the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League. Griffin Canning will start for the Angels, while the Rays will counter with Ryan Pepiot. The game is set to start at 1:10 PM ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. The Rays are the betting favorites at -154, with the line remaining steady.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Angels +132 | Rays -154
• Spread: Angels +1.5 (-160) | Rays -1.5 (+135)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 61%.

Los Angeles vs Tampa Bay Stats

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels began the season with low expectations following the departure of Shohei Ohtani. Despite this, they have posted a decent 8-9 record. However, their chances of winning the division are considered slim, with odds trailing behind other teams like the Astros and Rangers. The Angels are priced at +800 to make the postseason, but are -1200 to miss it for the 10th consecutive season. Star player Mike Trout has not made a postseason appearance since 2014. Pitcher Griffin Canning will be starting the series finale on Thursday, but has struggled so far this season with a 0-2 record, a 9.88 ERA, and a 1.83 WHIP. The team is ranked 19 in power rankings, 15 in offense, and 24 in defense, with an average of 4.63 runs scored per game and 4.94 runs allowed.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have made the postseason for five consecutive seasons with a low payroll, currently at $70.7 million, the fourth-lowest in the MLB. However, oddsmakers are not favoring their chances this season, pricing them at +120 to make the playoffs and +700 to win the A.L. East. The Rays, currently 10-8 and ranked 20th in power rankings, are 2.5 games behind the first-place Yankees. Ryan Pepiot, in his first season with the Rays, has a 1-2 record with a 5.40 ERA and will be making his fourth start with the team. The Rays are ranked 19th in offense, scoring an average of 4.18 runs per game, and 26th in defense, allowing an average of 5.24 runs per game. Los Angeles won two out of their last three matchups against Tampa Bay.

Angels as Favorable Underdogs in Thursday's Matinee Matchup with Rays

Thursday's matinee contest presents an intriguing opportunity for sports bettors, with the Angels appearing as favorable underdogs. Despite the uncertainty surrounding pitcher Ryan Pepiot, who carries a -150 moneyline juice, there is potential for a strong performance from Griffin Canning in this matchup. Canning has shown promising results against the current Rays roster, holding them to a limited slash line over a small sample size of 28 at-bats. Notably, key players like Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz have struggled against Canning, making the Angels a compelling choice for Thursday's game. While the Rays are known for fielding competitive teams within budget constraints, their current lineup does not pose a significant threat. Therefore, considering these factors, it may be advantageous to support the underdogs in this game.

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