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Happy National Pretzel Day folks! On this glorious day, the Seattle Mariners will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a matchup between two teams with almost identical records. Join us for our MLB odds series, where our Mariners-Rays prediction and pick will be revealed.
The Mariners enter this opening game of a very intriguing series sitting at a record of 10-6, and will begin a nine-game road stand starting today at Tropicana Field. Seattle is coming off a thrilling three-game sweep of the Royals. On the bump for the Mariners in this one will be RHP Logan Gilbert and his dazzling 0.54 ERA.
The Rays have also done some streaking of their own, as they are coming off back-to-back wins versus the Red Sox in a series win. Right-handed hurler Matt Wisler will get the call to slow down the Mariners' attack, as the 29-year-old has gone 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA up to this point.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Mariners-Rays MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Mariners-Rays Odds
Seattle Mariners: +1.5 (-196)
Tampa Bay Rays: -1.5 (+162)
Over: 7 (-112)
Under: 7 (-108)
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Why Mariners Could Cover the Spread
Seattle is hotter than the bottom of my laptop! The Mariners are fresh off an impressive weekend showing against Kansas City in which they scored 22 runs in three games versus the Royals. The bats were cracking in the warmer, spring air in the Pacific Northwest, and the Mariners would love nothing more to continue their hot streak versus the Rays.
No one in baseball had as productive of a week than Ty France, who was named American Player of the Week going 13-26 at the plate and belted three home runs, drove in 10 RBIs, and crossed the dish seven times in six games played. The Seattle third-baseman has been Seattle's most dynamic hitter to start out 2022, as France is hitting .375 and is second in the AL with 19 RBIs through 16 contests.
As a whole, the Mariners' offensive onslaught has yet to let up, as Seattle is sixth in the league in total runs scored with 77 and is third and ninth in on-base and slugging percentage respectively. The bats have been a huge part of why the Mariners have won five of its last seven games, and if they can continue to give opposing pitchers fits, then sports bettors should really start to take notice.
Seattle has brought to their game in 2022 a sense of balance that was at times present a year ago when they finished 90-72 and almost reached the playoffs for the first time since 2001. On the mound, the Mariners have been just as good as their hitting, and if not better. Seattle also boasts top-ten pitching statistics throughout the majors in ERA, quality starts, WHIP, and opposing batting average. Their seven quality starts from the pitching staff is currently tied for second in all of baseball.
A big contributor in covering the spread this evening will be Logan Gilbert, who has only allowed a remarkable single run in 16 2/3 innings pitched over his three starts thus far. Gilbert has fanned 15 batters over that stretch, as his fastball along with his breaking pitches have been absolutely electric. The 24 year-old from Florida is 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA in two career starts versus Tampa Bay.
Seattle is 10-6 ATS this season.
Why Rays Could Cover the Spread
At 9-7, the Rays have been above-average in their home ballpark to this point, as Tampa Bay is currently 6-4 at Tropicana Field. At first glance, there is a reason why the Rays and Mariners have enjoyed an equal amount of success from a record standpoint. The Rays are also equally lethal at the dish and from the rubber, as they also are ranked out as a top-ten squad in many statistical categories.
While the Rays are twelfth in runs scored with 71 over sixteen games and possess a .244 batting average which is good for ninth in the MLB, the timelines of Tampa Bay and their ability to string together hits have been tough to beat for the opponents that they have faced. Tampa Bay already has as deadly of a lineup as they come, so when they begin to click on all cylinders, then the wins will no doubt start adding up.
Pitching-wise, can Matt Wisler slow down Seattle enough to give the offense a chance? The early innings of this matchup will be crucial, as Tampa Bay will benefit greatly if they can help give Wisler a cushion of run support in the first few innings rather than play catch up the entirety of the evening. Usually a reliever, Wisler last pitched against the Red Sox on Saturday giving up one run on two hits. The Rays bolster the fifth-best rotation in batting average against with a .207 mark.
The Rays are 7-9 thus far against the spread in 2022.
Final Mariners-Rays Prediction & Pick
While the Mariners have been rather successful in covering the spread, the Rays have been frankly below average. Both teams enter play with winning streaks, but the buzz at T-Mobile Park after nine games out on the road will give Seattle the edge Tuesday night.
Final Mariners-Rays Pick: Mariners +1.5 (-196)
