The Tampa Bay Rays’ season has little light at the end of the tunnel, while the Los Angeles Dodgers are squarely in the playoff race. Even though the Rays are on the road when the teams face off on Tuesday, July 26th, 2016, they have a solid chance at garnering the win on this day. Tampa Bay will send talented right-hander Chris Archer to the mound, and while his ERA is uncharacteristically high in 2016, Archer has the stuff to shut down any offense. The Dodgers counter with journeyman Bud Norris, which gives the Rays a chance to pull out the victory in MLB odds.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Rays are only 38-59 on the season and have one of the worst offenses in the American League. The year has been disappointing, as third baseman Evan Longoria and shortstop Brad Miller have been bright spots but they have had little help. Longoria is hitting .287 with 22 homers, 55 RBIs and an .874 OPS. Miller is batting with .248 with 15 homers and 36 RBIs.
The Dodgers have been better overall. They are 55-44 on the season and hope to catch the San Francisco Giants to win the National League West. Los Angeles is led on offense by shortstop Corey Seager, who is batting .305 with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs. Adrian Gonzalez has been another key piece, batting .280 with eight homers and 47 RBIs. Yasiel Puig has struggled this season but has the type of talent to break out at any time.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
The Rays have a good chance at winning because of the starter they are sending to the mound. Chris Archer is only 5-13 this season with a 4.60 ERA, but for his career he has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League. Archer is striking out 10.73 batters per nine innings this season, an astronomical rate for a starting pitcher, but has given up many more home runs than usual. If Archer can keep the homers down against the Dodgers he has a good chance at putting together a nice outing.
Bud Norris does not have the same track record of Archer. He is 5-9 with a 4.56 ERA on the season and he has a career ERA of 4.45, so that jives with what he’s done throughout his MLB stay. Norris has been used as a spot starter as well as in relief, so the Rays get a break in that they face a starter who is not among the better ones in the major leagues.
LIVE BETTING
The Dodgers have been perennial contenders the past several seasons, and have a lot of talent up and down the roster. Los Angeles has been trying to stay afloat without ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw, and are still squarely in the playoff hunt. This is an important game for them, much moreso than the Rays, whose chances at making the postseason are zilch.
The Dodgers have a 30-18 record at home, which is one of the better home records in the major leagues. The Rays, meanwhile, are 19-29 on the road, so those numbers clearly favor the Dodgers. There are many factors that support Los Angeles in this showdown, but one big one for Tampa Bay is the starting pitching.
QUICK PICK
Chris Archer has been erratic this season, and his numbers don’t align with what he has done throughout his career. However, the peripheral numbers suggest a pitcher who has the ability to shut down any lineup. With that in mind, the Rays could come away with the victory over the Dodgers despite an inferior offense and a road game in MLB betting.
MLB Odds: Rays 4, Dodgers 3
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