Game: Atlanta Braves @ Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 6:40 p.m.
Odds: Braves -102, Rays -108
Total: 8.5
The top two teams in the majors are facing off in what could be a preview of the World Series matchup in October during the final weekend of play before the All-Star break. The first of three games between the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays will take place in St. Petersburg, Florida, tonight.
The matchup pits the Braves, who have been the most dominant team in the National League, against the Rays, who have the best record in the American League. The Rays have struggled lately, at least by their standards, despite their strength in the first half of the season. Tampa Bay has now lost a season-high five straight games after being swept at home by the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series that ended Thursday.
Tonight, the Rays will start veteran right-hander Tyler Glasnow (2-2, 4.50 ERA). He’ll go up against the Braves’ Charlie Morton (8-6, 3.57 ERA). The 39-year-old Morton pitched for the Rays in 2019–20 and was a standout member of Tampa Bay’s 2020 squad, which fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series in six games. The right-hander has faced the Rays six times in his career (all starts), going 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA.
Glasnow has combined to strike out 23 batters in 10.2 innings over his last two starts. He took a loss at Seattle on Saturday and a no-decision at home against the Kansas City Royals on June 25.
The Braves have won 10 of 11 heading into their final three games before the break. After winning two of three at Cleveland, Atlanta had the day off on Thursday. In an 8-1 rout on Wednesday, catcher Sean Murphy had four hits, including a home run. Murphy is 11-for-23 in his last six games with three home runs and eight RBIs. In December of last year, the Braves acquired Murphy from the Oakland Athletics. The All-Star catcher hit 15 home runs and drove in 50 runs in his first season in Atlanta.
Players who can cause harm are in plentiful supply for the Braves. With 29 home runs, first baseman Matt Olson leads the National League, and Ronald Acuna Jr. is having a season worthy of the MVP with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases. Ozzie Albies (22), Marcell Ozuna (17), and Austin Riley (16) all have double-digit homers for Atlanta. The Braves lead the majors in home runs.
In losing five straight, the Rays offense has slowed down. Tampa Bay managed just 15 runs in those five losses. The Rays are No. 3 in MLB in scoring, averaging 5.54 runs per game. In the last ten games against Atlanta, the Rays have averaged 5.30 runs. Not surprisingly, the Over is 7-3 in the last 10 games played between these two teams. The Over has cashed in 11 of the Rays’ last 16 games.
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