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Rays vs. Orioles prediction and odds for Monday, May 8

By Josh Yourish

Apr 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yesterday was a very different story for the top two teams in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays overcame a six-run lead to win in 10 innings against the Yankees.

The best team in baseball is now 28-7 and has a 5.5 game lead on the Baltimore Orioles because the O’s got walked off in the 12th inning by the Braves. Baltimore is now 22-12 and second in the division.

For Game 1 of this showdown it’ll be Shane McClanahan on the mound for the Rays against Kyle Gibson. McClanahan is 6-0 with a 2.03 ERA and Gibson is 4-1 with a 4.61 ERA.

Here are the odds for the Rays and Orioles in Game 1:

Rays vs. Orioles odds, run line and total

Rays vs. Orioles prediction and pick

The Rays are just such a ridiculous team and it doesn’t seem like they’re going to stop winning games. They were down six to Gerrit Cole and the Yankees and still didn’t go down.

Now, they have their best pitcher on the mound and so far they’ve been impossible to beat when he takes the hill, a perfect 7-0. He has yet to go longer than six innings in a start, but he also hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any.

He has a 3.30 FIP to go along with his 2.03 ERA, so there’s a chance that regression is coming, but the Rays are so careful with his innings that he’ll likely avoid any blowup outings.

Gibson had one of those blowup outings last start with six runs allowed on 10 hits over 6.2 innings pitched. The Orioles have had a lot of success against left-handed pitchers this season with an .815 OPS over the second most at-bats facing lefties this year. McClanahan is just a different type of lefty.

The Rays never lose with their ace on the mound and that’s a trend I’m not comfortable fading. They have also covered the run line in all, but one of his starts. Let’s take Tampa to win comfortably.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change