In the final game of Wednesday’s MLB schedule, two exciting young offenses square off as the Rays and A’s wrap up their three-game series in Sacramento. The A’s won Tuesday’s game, 6-0, after the Rays took the opener, 7-4. The rubber matchup on Wednesday will feature J.T. Ginn on the mound for the home team against Drew Rasmussen of the Rays. It should be a fun matchup, so let’s take a look at what to expect under the lights this Wednesday.
Both teams are mostly out of the playoff race but have lots of young talent that is still a fun watch. The Rays are 58-63 and 6.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card race, while the A’s are 54-68 and 11 games behind the Yankees for the third and final Wild Card spot. The A’s have been slightly better lately, going 5-5 compared to the Rays’ 4-6, but the team has actually played better on the road than at home at Sutter Health Park, where they’re playing their home games this season before their move to Las Vegas.
The Rays are -137 road favorites, and the run total is 9.5. The weather looks outstanding for hitting with a game-time forecast for 82 degrees and the wind blowing out at 10 miles per hour. Let’s preview this Wednesday night matchup with the help of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Rays vs. Athletics prediction, preview
The visiting team has an apparent advantage on the mound with Rasmussen over Ginn. Although I like Ginn as a MLB DFS value play for GPP, there is no arguing with how effective Rasmussen has been over his last few outings. I highlighted him to go over his outs recorded line in my starting pitcher prop bets, and I think he’ll likely leave the game with the lead.
Rasmussen has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six straight starts, allowing a total of six runs over 24 1/3 innings with just four walks and 23 strikeouts during that span. He has held the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mariners in check in road starts over that span, so facing the Athletics shouldn’t be too much for him to handle.
I do think Ginn will hold his own, but a 5.54 home ERA, and eight homers allowed in 26 innings at Sutter Health Park indicate that the Rays should be able to get at least a couple of runs early.
Once the game is given to the bullpens, anything is possible, but the A’s bullpen has struggled all year and lost a key piece at the deadline with the Mason Miller trade. On the season, they have the third-highest ERA in the majors with a 5.11 ERA and a 4.42 FIP while giving up 61 homers in 463 innings for a 1.19 HR/9.
I highlighted Junior Caminero as one of my top home run props of the day, and if he doesn’t go yard off Ginn, he will still have a good chance against the A’s relievers as well. The entire Rays offense should be in a pretty good spot overall, although they need to bounce back after being shut out last night by Jacob Lopez and two A’s relievers.
Astros vs. Red Sox pick, best bet
Best Bet: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+119)
I’m taking the Rays to win by multiple runs in order to get plus odds in this matchup. Caminero and Rasmussen bring enough form, and Ginn and the A’s bullpen have been hittable enough to expect Tampa to emerge with the win in this one.
Strong Lean: Drew Rasmussen to record the win (+180)
Rasmussen’s recent success definitely gives him a good shot to claim the win if the Rays bats can get to Ginn. The Rays were monitoring his innings. losely but he has returned to a “typical” starters workload in his last two starts.
