MLB Odds – Rays on a Hot Streak

As strange as it might sound right now, baseball’s best team doesn’t reside in New York. Or Philadelphia. Or Boston. But in Tampa. Can the Rays take Game 2 of a four game set in Friday night’s baseball betting odds?

Kansas City Royals (8-14 SU, 12-10 R/L, 14-8) at Tampa Bay Rays (17-5 SU, 15-7 R/L, 14-8 O/U)

Friday, April 30: 7:05 p.m.

Betting Odds:

Kansas City: +1 ½, -110, +180
(Brian Bannister-R)

Tampa Bay: -1 ½, -110, -220
(Jeff Niemann-R)

Totals Runs:

Over 9: -125
Under 9: +105

The Rays took Game 1 of this series behind a potent offensive lineup that’s one of the deepest in the league.

To name Tampa’s best hitter would be impossible, as they are simply explosive from top to bottom. Leading the charge is veteran outfielder Carl Crawford, who leads this team with a .341 batting average. But he’s hardly alone. Third baseman Evan Longoria is hitting .329 with four home runs and 16 RBI, Jason Bartlett is hitting .281 and first baseman Carlos Pena has five home runs. Then there’s utility man Ben Zobrist and B.J. Upton, each who is having his best season as a pro. Did I mention this lineup is deep?

On the mound for Tampa in Friday night’s betting odds, is the young, but effective Jeff Niemann. While Niemann may not be a household name just yet, he will be by October. The big Texas is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, despite this really being basically his second year in the majors. He has pitched in the seventh inning of each of his last three starts, after getting knocked out in his opener with an injury.

As for Kansas City, you know their story by now. The Royals are small market in every sense of the word, and could be headed for their 25th straight season without a postseason.
Focusing on Friday night though, they could steal a win with Brian Bannister on the mound. Banister is 1-1 with a 4.13 ERA, however that earned run average is a bit deceptive. He has pitched well in all but one start, in which he surrendered six earned runs in 5.1 innings. Expect him to pitch deep into Friday’s contest.

Offensively, the Royals aren’t as bad as they might seem when simply looking at them on paper. From top to bottom, they’ve got several surprises, including centerfielder Scott Podsednik, who is one the league’s leaders in batting average at .359. Add in Jose Guillen (7 home runs) and Billy Butler (.318 BA) and this offense is actually quite potent.
But potent enough to steal in a win Friday night? Don’t bet on it.

The truth is, that the Rays are simply on a roll, having won seven of their last eight games overall, and eight of 10. And it isn’t a fluke. They do it offensively, defensively and in the field. They do it running the bases. This is a great team.

So when making your Friday night baseball bets, take baseball’s best team. Take the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aaron’s Pick: Tampa Bay -1 ½, -110 >> Join NOW