Rays vs. Angels Prediction and Odds for Monday, May 9 (Tampa Bay Valuable Bet as Underdogs)
By Reed Wallach
Two of the American League's best start their series in Anaheim with the Rays traveling to face the Angels.
Tampa Bay and Los Angeles each sit in the mix for an American League playoff berth, but are in heated division races and can use wins over quality competition. The Rays will start an opener Jeffrey Springs while the Angels counter with Noah Syndergaard, who has had a promising start in his first season with the Angels after a several injury plagued seasons with the Mets.
Who has the edge in the series opener? Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:
Rays vs. Angels Odds, Run Line, Total
Run Line:
- Rays: +1.5 (-185)
- Angels: -1.5 (+112)
Moneyline:
- Rays: +115
- Angels: -125
Total: 7.5 (Over -120/Under -110)
Rays vs. Angels Prediction and Pick
I'm going to begin fading Syndergaard, who is transitioning into a different part of his career. While he has a strong 2.63 ERA, he is not the power pitcher we came to know from his time with New York. The former Met is striking out fewer than six batters per nine innings and has a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.32. He is relying on soft contact and some help in the field as he loses his velocity on his fastball.
Now, he will face an elite Tampa Bay lineup. While the team is 11th in on-base percentage, they are 2nd in the bigs in wRC+ which is a normalized rating of run scoring chances created. The team does a fantastic job of putting the ball in play and can take advantage of the softer throwing Syndergaard.
I'll take my chances with the Rays fantastic pitching staff that is top 5 in bullpen ERA in an opener setting against Sydnergaard and a still vulnerable Angels pen.
LEAN: Rays ML +115
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!