The Tampa Bay Rays go on the road to take on the Atlanta Braves Friday night. Below we will continue our MLB odds series with a Rays-Braves prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

Rays-Braves Projected Starters 

Zack Littell vs. Chris Sale

Zack Littell (2-4) with a 3.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 74.1 innings pitched, 69K/12BB, .280 oBA

Last Start: vs. Baltimore Orioles: Loss, 6 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

2024 Road Splits: 5 starts, 0-1, 3.76 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 26.1 innings pitched, 20K/5BB, .325 oBA

Chris Sale (8-2) with a 3.01 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 74.2 innings pitched, 92K/11BB, .211 oBA

Last Start: at Washington Nationals: Loss, 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts

2024 Home Splits: 7 starts, 6-0, 2.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 43.1 innings pitched, 4 walks, 51 strikeouts, .204 oBA

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Rays-Braves Odds

Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-132)

Moneyline: +164

Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+110)

Moneyline: -196

Over: 8.5 (-110)

Under: 8.5 (-110)

How to Watch Rays vs. Braves

Time: 7:20 PM ET/4:20 PM PT

TV: Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Southeast

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Rays Will Cover The Spread/Win

Zack Littell has some good numbers. He needs to limit the hits in this game, but the rest of his numbers are pretty good. He limits his walks, and makes opposing teams earn their bases. The good news is he is going up against a struggling Braves team. Since May 1, the Braves are batting just .224, and they are scoring less than four runs per game in that span. Atlanta has not been the same this season, and Littell needs to take advantage of that. If he can shut down this Braves team, the Rays will win the game.

Why The Braves Will Cover The Spread/Win

Chris Sale could be the only argument here. He is back to pitching as he was when he was winning the World Series, and at his best. The Braves have unlocked the beast in him once again. Sale's K/BB ratio is one of the best in the MLB, and I do not see that slowing down in this game. The Rays have struck out the seventh-most in the MLB, and they have walked just 210 times this season. Sale should have no problem collecting his strikeouts and limiting the base runners in this game. As long as he continues to pitch as he has been, the Braves will win this game.

Littell's stats are actually pretty good. However, there is one that stands out, and that is his hits allowed. Littell has allowed opposing teams to bat .280 off him this season, and over .300 on the road. His walk rate is very low, so he keeps the ball in the zone, which gets him in trouble. The Braves have not been themselves lately, but this could be a game where we see a glimpse of the 2023 Braves team. If they can get hot, and record multiple hits, the Braves will win.

Final Rays-Braves Prediction & Pick

Chris Sale has been a different animal this season. Nobody should be surprised as the Braves always get the best out of their pitchers. With that said, it is very, very tough to bet against the Braves when Sale is on the mound, and I am not going to start in this game. I will take the Braves to not only win this game, but cover the spread, as well.

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Final Rays-Braves Prediction & Pick: Braves -1.5 (+110)