Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Spread, Line, Odds, Predictions, Picks and Betting Preview

Buckle up, baseball fans, because we’ve got a weekend series that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! The Tampa Bay Rays are going toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a matchup that’s all the buzz in MLB.

There’s a new underdog in town: the Dodgers (-102). A sight we’ve not seen often in previous seasons, but the Rays have proven themselves worthy of respect. We’re all set for a showdown in Tampa Bay, where they’ve been nothing short of excellent. The odds? Not too steep at -117 for the home team.

Stepping up to the mound for the Dodgers is Noah Syndergaard, an ace who’s shown some faltering recently. Sporting a 4.50 xFIP in the last 30 days, it’s clear that his lackluster 14% strikeout rate isn’t doing him any favors. But before you write him off, look at his splits. Syndergaard’s no longer leaning on his power pitching but opting for a craftier approach. His stats against lefties are sitting at a .305 wOBA and righties at a .295 wOBA over the past 30 days, with an ISO power number for the right-handed batters being zero. Yes, you read that right, a flat zero.

But it won’t be smooth sailing for Syndergaard, who’s up against a potent Rays lineup featuring power hitters like Yandy Diaz, Isaac Paredes, Brandon Lowe, and Jose Siri.

Switching gears to the Rays, it seems we’ve got Jalen Beeks slated to start, though he’ll likely only stick around for an inning or two before passing the baton to Cooper Criswell. Now, Criswell doesn’t have a wealth of stats under his belt, with a less-than-ideal 6.39 xFIP and a 13% strikeout rate. He’s faced 23 batters in the past 30 days, but here’s the kicker: he’s allowed a staggering .775 wOBA and a .800 ISO power number to the seven left-handed batters he’s faced. Against righties, his wOBA is .360 with an ISO of .250.

When looking at the Dodgers lineup, the power stats against right-handed pitching stand out. Mookie Betts boasts a .253 ISO power number, Freddie Freeman holds a .276 ISO power number, J.D. Martinez impresses with a .368 ISO power number, Max Muncy chimes in with .180, and Chris Taylor adds a solid .167. Following up, we have Miguel Vargas, who’s showing a .235 wOBA against right-handed pitching over the past month.

I have to say, I’m not head over heels for Syndergaard’s recent performance. However, when we’re comparing lineups, I find myself leaning toward the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays bring their own strengths, but the Dodgers’ hitting power might just tip the scales.