Game Preview
On Friday evening at the Trop, the Oakland Athletics take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of a three-game AL series. The Athletics will start rookie pitcher Ken Waldichuk. The Rays’ response will come from veteran Zach Eflin. Last season, Tampa Bay defeated Oakland 4-3.
The A’s will start the series with Ken Waldichuk on the mound. Waldichuk was hammered in his season debut, yielding six runs, three of which were home runs, in 5.2 innings against the Angels, and was given the loss. He is still considered a rookie after appearing in seven games last season. In 34.2 innings pitched, the southpaw had a 4.93 ERA, but an impressive 1.21 WHIP and a 2-2 record. This is his first career matchup with the Rays.
The Oakland Athletics will be around the bottom of the rankings all season after moving most of their big hitters in the last three offseasons. In the first series, Oakland lost three of four to the Angels. They dropped two of three to the Guardians this week, including a 10-inning loss on Wednesday.
Let’s check the latest MLB news, stats and MLB expert picks for Athletics vs Rays. We’ve plenty of MLB Predictions for you to consider.
Zach Eflin will earn the start for the second time this season. Eflin was outstanding in his first start, allowing only one run on three hits in five innings and earning the victory. After spending his whole career with the Phillies, the veteran signed with the Rays.
He has been effective despite injuries in recent seasons. Last season, the right-hander went 3-5 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 75.2 innings pitched. Last season, Eflin pitched two scoreless innings against the A’s in his sole career matchup.
Kevin Cash’s Rays are looking well this season. They won the first two series, sweeping the Tigers behind great pitching, and followed that up with another sweep, now on the road against the Nationals. The pitching appears to be as good as it has been in previous seasons. In six games, they have only given up 13 runs.
Oakland Athletics vs Tampa Bay Rays Game Information
- Date: 04/05/2023
- Time: 06:40 PM ET
- Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
- How to Watch: Athletics vs Rays MLB.TV
- Live Stream: MLB.TV
Athletics vs Rays Betting Lines
Athletics are +210 according to our Vegas MLB Lines. This means that if you wager $100 you have the chance to win $210. On the other side, Rays are +147 according to the Vegas MLB Lines. This means that if you wager $100 you have the chance to win $38.
The implied probability for these two teams attached to the betting lines have Athletics at a 32.26% chance of winning the game, meanwhile Rays have 72.22% probability of finishing the game with the W.
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