Tampa Bay Rays 2024 World Series Odds
Since 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays have been the little engine that could. With one of the lowest revenue streams, fan bases, and payrolls in baseball, the Ras were over to overcome such heavy gravity with no playoff appearances and two World Series appearances. However, in the first half of the 2024 season, Tampa Bay finally seemed flat on its back. The Rays, who for so long exceeded expectations on the field and at the cashier’s cage, were deep in the red as the All-Star break approached. Tampa Bay had the metrics of a team that was not going to be a serious factor in the American League playoff race.
The big culprit for the Rays is a bullpen that has collapsed. When Tampa Bay was winning, their bullpen was more important and productive than the starting rotation. In 2024, it has become a liability.
2024 MLB World Series Betting Odds
Tampa Bay Rays MLB Betting Lines
At the approach of the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays had a record of 44-46 and was 4th in the American League East Division. Offensively, Tampa Bay ranked 25th for runs scored, 21st for batting average, 22nd for OPS, 26th for home runs, and 5th for stolen bases. Defensively, Tampa Bay ranked 24th for earned run average, 15th for WHIP, 24th for strikeouts, 27th for quality starts, 8th for fewest errors, and 23rd for bullpen ERA. Tampa Bay was –564 on the moneyline and -880 on the run line.
Tampa Bay Rays Key Players
Number one starter Zac Eflin is coming off an impressive 2023 campaign. The right-hander was 16-8 with a 3.50 earned run average and 1.02 WHIP for a career year. So far in 2024, Eflin was 5-5 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
In 2024, closer Pete Fairbanks was 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He saved 14 games.
Shortstop Brandon Lowe is a 2019 All-Star and had another productive 2023. Low scored 58 runs with 21 home runs and 68 runs batted in with a .231 average and .771 OPS. So far in 2024, Lowe produced 23 runs, six doubles, eight home runs, 25 runs batted in, and a .793 OPS.
3B Isaac Paredes scored 71 runs with 24 doubles, 31 home runs, 98 runs batted in with a .250 average and .840 OPS. So far, in 2024, Paredes has produced 34 runs, 17 doubles, 14 home runs, 47 RBI, and a .820 OPS.
Tampa Bay Rays Manager
Since 2015, Kevin Cash has been the Rays manager. He has produced five consecutive playoff seasons and a 2020 AL pennant. Cash has proven himself as one of the best managers in baseball. But he faces his biggest challenge yet in 2024.
Season-by-Season Record (Since 2015)
| SEASON |
WINS |
LOSSES |
FINISH |
POSTSEASON |
| 2023 |
99 |
63 |
2nd |
Lost ALWC (Rangers) 2–0 |
| 2022 |
86 |
76 |
3rd |
Lost ALWC (Guardians) 2–0 |
| 2021 |
102 |
62 |
1st |
Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–1 |
| 2020 |
40 |
20 |
1st |
Lost World Series (Dodgers) 4–2 |
| 2019 |
96 |
66 |
2nd |
Lost ALDS (Astros) 3–2 |
| 2018 |
90 |
72 |
3rd |
- |
| 2017 |
80 |
82 |
3rd |
- |
| 2016 |
68 |
94 |
5th |
- |
| 2015 |
80 |
82 |
4th |
- |
The Tampa Bay Rays have made the playoffs the last five seasons with one American League pennant, even though they have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Tampa Bay has little in the way of fan support or revenue but is managed exceptionally well. The Rays never get massive support on the future market, but they draw their share of support from bargain hunters and sharps. The public ignores them for the power brands such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. And yet Tampa Bay consistently finishes ahead of those teams in the American League East. But in 2024, it appears as if gravity is finally holding down the Rays.
In 2023, the Rays again finished with a profit for the third time in four years. Tampa Bay was an exceptionally good value on the run line. The Rays are profitable, whereas other teams as successful would not be. That is because Tampa Bay does not attract much casual support, thus keeping its prices reasonable.
MLB Teams
American League - East
American League - Central
American League - West
National League - East
National League - Central
National League - West
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