Oskeim Sports provides free betting advice in Friday’s MLB game between the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays. If you are interested in more than just free betting advice, be sure to check out Oskeim’s award-winning subscriptions at the online store.
Together with top-rated betting advice, you will receive all-inclusive access to Oskeim’s documented sports picks. In the meantime, enjoy Oskeim’s free betting advice in tonight’s MLB affair between the Mariners and Rays!
Due to an injury-riddled starting rotation, Tampa Bay has been forced to employ relievers as “openers.” Tonight’s opener is right-hander Wilmer Font, who posted a 3.42 ERA, 2.98 FIP and 3.32 xFIP in 25 starts for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate last season. Font finished the season with 11.93 K/9, 2.34 BB/9 and 0.74 HR/9 rates in 134.1 innings of work.
The 28-year-old has pitched for three teams this season, with the Rays being his most recent stop. The right-hander has performed well in Tampa Bay since his arrival last month, posting a 1.50 ERA in four games (3 hits & 1 run in six innings).
Font now faces a Seattle lineup that is averaging 4.4 runs per game in 2018 (.313 OBP), including just 4.2 runs per game against right-handed starters (.307 OBP).
The Rays’ bullpen has been a bright spot this season, garnering a 3.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP at home and a 3.16 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in evening affairs. Despite Tampa Bay’s recent struggles (losers of seven straight), manager Kevin Cash remains optimistic. “We have to make some adjustments, at the plate or on the mound,” Cash said. “We’re capable of it. We’ll bounce back.”
While Tampa Bay’s starting rotation is in tatters, Seattle’s starting pitching is responsible for its division-leading 39-22 record. One of those hot starters is Marco Gonzales, who has wins in three of his last 4 outings over which time he has allowed one earned run in 26 innings.
Gonzales has lowered his season ERA from 5.31 to 3.38 in his previous four starts. Overall, the southpaw owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.22 FIP and 3.46 xFIP in twelve starts (66.2 IP).
Gonzales’ underlying peripherals are strong: 3.76 SIERA, 46.7% GB% and 10.0% HR/FB. In his lone start against Tampa Bay earlier this season, Gonzales allowed just one run on fits in 6 2/3 innings. Let’s also note that Seattle is 6-0 in Gonzales’ last six starts during game 2 of a series, while the Mariners are 20-6 in the last 26 meetings in this series (12-3 L/15 overall).
He is also backed by a steady Seattle bullpen that enters tonight’s game with a 3.64 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 2018, including posting a 3.50 ERA and 1.16 WHIP on the road and a 2.75 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in its last seven games.
There is actually good news behind the plate for Tampa Bay. Home teams are an incredible 51-24 in umpire David Rackley’s last 75 games calling balls and strikes, while the Rays have won six straight with Rackley wearing the mask.
However, it cannot be overlooked that the Mariners have won five straight against American League East foes, ten of their last 12 against .499 or worse opposition and eight of their previous ten clashes with right-handed starters. And, with respect to the umpire trends outlined above, Seattle is actually 7-0 in its last seven games with Rackley behind home plate!
Free Betting Advice Nugget:
Ultimately, this game falls into the “too good to be true” category as the red-hot Mariners are only priced between -110 and -118 tonight against a reeling Tampa Bay squad. If it’s too good to be true, side with the oddsmaker’s perceived error and take the Rays at home as one of Oskeim Sports’ free picks for June 8.
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