Kansas City Royals vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Royals vs. Rays Prediction: Playoff-Hopeful Teams Face Off in Series Finale

In this Royals at Rays prediction, the playoff-hopeful teams will face off in the series finale at Tampa Bay. The Royals are looking to secure a playoff spot for the second consecutive season, while the Rays aim to return to the playoffs after missing out last year. The starting pitchers will be Seth Lugo for the Royals and Shane Baz for the Rays. The game is set to begin at 1:10 PM EST, with Tampa Bay opening as the favorite at -142. Stay tuned for more details on this matchup and consider our top to boost your chances of winning.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +129 | Rays -142
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-172) | Rays -1.5 (+142)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 59%.

Kansas City vs Tampa Bay Stats

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are set to conclude their three-game series against the Rays, aiming to maintain their momentum in the AL Central Division as they head into May. With a recent win bringing them back to .500, the team looks to Seth Lugo, a 2024 All-Star, to secure a victory on Thursday. Lugo, with a record of 2-3 this season, has been a reliable starter for the Royals, having recently pitched eight scoreless innings in his last outing. Despite being ranked 29th in offense, the team's strong defense, ranking 6th in the league, has contributed to their 15-15 record this season. With no major injuries reported, the Royals are in good shape for Thursday's game.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have experienced recent success in the AL Playoffs but struggled in the 2024 season, finishing fourth in the AL East. The team faced a tough series against the Royals, with a loss snapping a five-game winning streak. Third baseman Junior Caminero stood out with a strong performance, while starting pitcher Taj Bradley also delivered a solid effort despite the loss. The Rays will turn to righty Shane Baz for the series finale against the Royals, who comes into the game with an impressive record. Despite key injuries to RP Alfredo Zarraga and RF Jake Mangum, the Rays have a strong defense but have struggled offensively. In their previous matchups, Kansas City has won two out of three games against Tampa Bay.

Rays Expected to Claim Victory Against Royals in Pitcher's Duel

The Tampa Bay Rays have a slight advantage in the upcoming game against the Kansas City Royals, with prospect Shane Baz scheduled to pitch against Miguel Lugo. Baz boasts a 4-1 record in his five starts this season, while Lugo has a 3-3 record in six starts. Baz also has more strikeouts and allows fewer hits per nine innings compared to Lugo. Of note is Lugo's tendency to give up home runs, having allowed six this season. The Rays will be playing at the Yankee's Spring Training facility, known for being hitter-friendly. Given the Royals' struggles with scoring runs and hitting home runs, as reflected in their last-place ranking in both categories, they are unlikely to capitalize on this advantage. Therefore, it is expected that the Rays will secure a victory in this upcoming match. Bet on the Rays to win with the money line.

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