Brewers vs. Rays Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, June 29 (Pitching Mismatch Provides Value on Home Team)

The Tampa Bay Rays may be in fourth place in the AL East, but their W/L record is almost identical to the first-place Milwaukee Brewers out of the NL Central.

So, while the Brewers are primed for a trip to the playoffs, I think the Rays might actually be a better team overall. They certainly have a better offense than the Brewers who rank very low statistically at the plate. I think the Rays have an edge on the mound here as well and could possibly knock the Brewers out of first place in the division. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Brewers vs. Rays Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

• Brewers: +1.5 (-180)
• Rays: -1.5 (+150)

Moneyline:

• Brewers: +122
• Rays: -132

Total:

• 8 (Over -110/Under -110)

Brewers vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

This afternoon’s matchup features a bit of a pitching mismatch between two lefties who are both struggling in June.

Jeffrey Springs is having a better go of it right now with a 3-2 record, 2.25 ERA, and 1.00 WHIP on the year. But, over his last five starts, Springs has an ERA of 3.04 with two multi-home run games.

He tallies a lot of strikeouts, but you can’t hope to win if your starter gives up three home runs in six innings to the damn Pirates. It's strange that before getting beat up by the Pirates and Orioles, Springs pitched back-to-back gems against the Twins and Cardinals. Shutting out both over a combined 11 ⅓ innings. So, the talent is obviously there. It’s just that Springs has had a bad week really. His ERA was 1.45 less than two weeks ago and I think he will end June strong against the Brewers. 

Despite being in first place in the NL Central, the Brewers aren’t getting it done at the plate and rank 24th in batting average and 24th in strikeouts per game.

To make matters worse, Eric Lauer is making his fourth start of what has been a terrible June. Lauer has a 6.94 ERA so far this month in 23 ⅓ innings. The worst part about it is he’s been lit up by the Nationals for eight runs and the Reds by for in that span.

Anytime two of the worst teams in the league are smoking your starting pitcher, it might be time to reassess his roster spot. Yet, here he is again after giving up eight home runs in his last three starts combined. 

PICK: Rays ML (-132)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE