Tampa Bay vs Los Angeles Angels Predictions & Betting Odds

Los Angeles Angels dual-threat star Shohei Ohtani was brilliant the last time he took the mound, and he’s scheduled to again Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Angels are favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Rays at Angels MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, 7:07 PM ET
Where: Angel Stadium
Probable pitchers (away/home): Shane McClanahan/Shohei Ohtani
TV: Fox Sports 1
Stream/gameday audio: Fox Sports Go
Opening MLB Lines: Angels -115, Rays -105 (total 7)

Why Bet on Tampa Bay?

Since the start of 2021, the Rays have lost in walk-off fashion in the regular season 13 times, most in the AL and 3rd in the majors behind the Marlins (15) and Nationals (14). Including postseason, 38.5 percent of their road losses since 2021 have been walk-offs. Also since last season, the Rays have a majors-most 52 comeback wins and ML-most 9 wins when trailing after 8 innings.

Reliever JT Chargois will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. Chargois felt great playing catch Monday and will progress to a bullpen session later this week. The 31-year-old has been working his way back from left oblique tightness that forced him to the injured list in early April. He’s expected to return to the Rays’ bullpen at some point next month.

Red-hot outfielder Manuel Margot was removed from Monday’s game versus the Angels with right hamstring discomfort. Margot tweaked his hammy while stealing second base during the sixth inning so monitor that. Margot has five game-winning RBI this season, tied for second most in the majors. He has four go-ahead hits this season, most on the team. All four have come in the 8th inning or later.

It’s lefty Shane McClanahan (2-2) on the mound. McClanahan was charged with two runs over 5 1/3 innings last Thursday in a win over the Mariners. McClanahan held the Mariners without a hit until the fifth inning when Jesse Winker hit a leadoff homer. He was lifted from the contest after giving up back-to-back singles in the ensuing frame. He notched five strikeouts and only walked two batters. The 25-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six consecutive outings to open the 2022 campaign and has 3.08 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47/9 K/BB ratio across 32 1/3 innings.

McClanahan is overpowering hitters with a 96.8 MPH heater, which is the 14th highest average fastball velocity among all pitchers. He’s also attacking hitters in a completely different way from last year with slight changes to his pitch movements. Aside from decreasing fastball usage, he’s cut his slider usage in half from 34% to 17 while increasing the use of his changeup and curveball. The curve is holding opponents to a .132 average with a 45% whiff rate.

Why Bet on LA Angels?

The Angels are off to their best start since 2004. LA also had sole possession of first place in the American League West since April 27.

It’s Shohei Ohtani (3-2) on the mound. Ohtani struck out 11 in seven innings and went 2-for-4 with an RBI at the plate in the Angels’ 8-0 drubbing of the Red Sox last Thursday. It was perhaps Ohtani’s best pitching performance as a major leaguer. He got 29 whiffs, including 10 each with his fastball and slider and topped out at 100 mph. He’s won three starts in a row, and he has a 3.08 ERA and a 41/5 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 innings for the season. Ohtani leads the league in strikeouts per nine innings, with 14.1.

Ohtani became the first player to both start on the mound and bat in the top four of a lineup (No. 3) at Fenway Park since Babe Ruth did it in 1919.

“He’s the best player in the league,” Red Sox starter Rich Hill told reporters after Thursday’s game. “I think that’s one thing everybody can pretty much unanimously agree upon. It’s pretty special to see somebody like that come along. I think everybody should be really appreciating what we’re seeing, because it’s something we haven’t seen in 100 years and we may never see it again for another 100 years.”

Ohtani already wrecked the Rays once in this series, homering twice and driving in five runs while going 3-for-4 in an 11-3 rout for the Angels on Monday Both homers went the opposite way, as the two-way star blasted a solo shot in the sixth, and then connected on his first ever grand slam in the seventh.

“I’m definitely having the most fun right now,” Ohtani said. “I’m not having the best offensive year right now but the team is winning, which is the most important thing. We’re going to try to continue the hot streak.”

Last season, the Angels went 1-6 vs. Tampa Bay, marking a fifth straight season series win for the Rays.

Shortstop David Fletcher remains on the injured list. Fletcher will receive a second opinion on his injured hip in the coming days. It’s his second time on the injured list with the problem. Outfielder Taylor Ward missed Monday’s game due to hamstring tightness but should be fine. He’s off to a great start.