Rays vs. Athletics Prediction and Odds for Monday, May 2 (Rays With Edge Over Floundering A's Offense)

After getting swept by the Guardians, the 10-12 Oakland Athletics carry a three-game losing streak into their series opener with the 12-10 Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 9:40 p.m. EST.

The Rays have lost two straight themselves and will send Drew Rasmussen to the mound today. Rasmussen has a 3.50 ERA on the season and is coming off a dominant six-inning shutout performance against Seattle in which he only allowed two hits.

Daulton Jefferies gets the call for Oakland and while he looked great in his first three starts of the campaign, things unraveled for him in his most recent outing as he surrendered five runs in only four innings against the Giants.

With both offenses struggling, which side has the edge today? Can Rasmussen build off the momentum from his last start to notch a road victory or will the Athletics snap out of their funk?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to answer those questions ahead of this Rays vs Athletics matchup:

Rays vs Athletics Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Rays -1.5 (+115)
• Athletics +1.5 (-140)

Moneyline:

• Rays: -153
• Athletics: +143

Total:

• 7.0 (Over +100/Under -120)

Rays vs Athletics Prediction and Pick

The A's offense continues to be a symbol of ineptitude. They're averaging just 2.8 runs per home game and have scored more than three just twice in their last 11 contests overall. Rays' starter Drew Rasmussen struck out nine batters in his most recent outing and should have similar success against an Oakland lineup that averages the third-most strikeouts per game in the the league.

Tampa Bay's offense, meanwhile, has been great on the road. They rank eighth in OPS and seventh in runs per game away from home and should be able to score on A's starter Daulton Jeffries.

Jeffries came unraveled in his last start against the Giants, giving up five runs in just four innings, and his 4.28 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) suggests his 3.26 ERA is a bit of a mirage.

Oakland has proven their offense cannot be trusted under any circumstances right now. I believe in the Rays' lineup led by superstar Wander Franco, and Tampa Bay's bullpen is much better as well.

I'm taking the Rays to give the A's their sixth home loss in their last seven games behind another dominant performance from Rasmussen.

Pick: Rays -1.5 (+115)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.