At this stage of the season, we can start to split teams into very definite categories. There are some who look like legitimate contenders who have already all but booked their place in the postseason. They are followed by teams still in the hunt, the majority of whom are looking at the Wild Card as their path to the playoffs. Finally, there are the bottom feeders in the MLB; the teams who are long since out of contention and who have nothing left to do but play the role of spoiler.
As poor as the teams in the final category are, they are very often the ones that end up deciding who gets in and who misses out. It’s very easy for contenders to look beyond these teams to bigger series, which is where the problems arise, and the losses start to pile up. The Tampa Bay Rays are very much in the playoff picture and will be looking to avoid any type of slump against the San Diego Padres in this interleague series. The Rays got the job done in Game 1, and they will look to continue rolling on Tuesday night. Tampa is favored by 1 ½, with the run total set at 8.
Rays vs Padres MLB Week 20 Lines & Game Analysis
- When: Tuesday, August 13 at 10:10 PM EST
- Where: Petco Park, San Diego
- Starting Pitchers: McKay vs. Lauer
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Week 20 Lines: Tampa Bay Rays -120 (Total 8)
Pirates vs Angels MLB Odds, Game Info & Prediction
Weather Forecast
- Sunny: 22°C/72°F
- Humidity: 72%
- Precipitation: 2%
- Cloud Cover: 6%
- Wind: 7 mph WNW
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Tampa Bay Rays?
The Tampa Bay Rays now find themselves 9 games back of the New York Yankees at the top of the AL East, but make no mistake about it, this is a team that is very much in the playoff picture. Despite being that far off the pace in the division, the Rays are still 70-50 on the season, which has them currently sitting in one of the two available Wild Card spots in the American League.They come into this Tuesday night game having reeled off 4-straight wins, which includes a 10-4 hammering of the Padres on Monday night. Those 4 wins have all come on the road, taking the Rays season record away from home to 39-22. With their most recent win, they are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Rays will go with Brendan McKay (2-2, 4.55 ERA) for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.69
- Hits: 8.87
- Walks: 3.36
- Strike Outs: 9.33
Defense
- Runs: 3.86
- Hits: 7.80
- Walks: 2.78
- Strike Outs: 9.84
Why bet on the San Diego Padres?
With their loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, the San Diego Padres have now fallen to 55-63 on the season, well off the pace being set by the teams still in the Wild Card picture in the National League.
The Padres are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, and while they have struggled to win on a consistent basis, they have been decent in interleague play, going 9-6 SU in their 15 games versus teams from the American League. Another area in which they have been a good bet is as a home underdog, going 11-6 ATS in those games. The Padres will hand the ball to Eric Lauer (6-8, 4.51 ERA) for the Tuesday night game.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.52
- Hits: 8.26
- Walks: 2.98
- Strike Outs: 9.66
Defense
- Runs: 4.81
- Hits: 8.68
- Walks: 2.71
- Strike Outs: 8.86
Athletics vs Giants MLB Odds & Pick for Tuesday Night
Rays vs Padres MLB Week 20 Betting Trends
- Rays are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games against an opponent in the National League
- Padres are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games played on a Tuesday
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Diego’s last 8 games at home
- Rays are 25-8 against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
- Padres are 55-63 against the money line in all games this season
- Rays are 1-0 against SAN DIEGO this season
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Rays vs Padres
The Tampa Bay Rays look like a team that have stepped up a gear in preparation for a run at the playoffs. With that in mind, I think they look like a very good bet against the Padres.Score: Tampa Bay Rays 5 – San Diego Padres 3
