The Kansas City Royals will begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at Tropicana Field. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make a Royals-Rays prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.
The Royals recently swept the Detroit Tigers, giving them a six-game winning streak. Kansas City is on a hot streak, going 8-2 over its last 10 games. Additionally, they are 14-6 in May.
The Rays suffered a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox at home. Sadly, they have lost four games in a row. Tampa Bay is also 5-5 in its past 10 games.
Seth Lugo makes the start for the Royals. He is 7-1 with a 1.79 ERA. Recently, he tossed 5 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out 10 in a win over the Oakland Athletics. Lugo has had a quality start in four of his five starts.
The Rays will likely turn to an opener for this one. Currently, they do have a scheduled starter for Friday's game, meaning this will probably be a bullpen game.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Royals-Rays Odds
Kansas City Royals: -1.5 (+134)
Moneyline: -120
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-162)
Moneyline: +102
Over: 8 (-115)
Under: 8 (-105)
How to Watch Royals vs. Rays
Time: 6:50 PM ET/3:50 PM PT
TV: Bally Sports Sun
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Royals Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Royals are one of the most improved teams in the league, mainly thanks to a better offense. Currently, they are eighth in batting average and 14th in on-base percentage. Kansas City also ranks third in runs and eighth in slugging percentage. While the Royals are only 17th in home runs, they have enough power in this lineup to put a tangible threat. Overall, this lineup is getting the job done, and it's a significant reason they are threatening the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central.
Maikel Garcia has been solid at the top of the lineup. Currently, he is batting .266 with five home runs, 32 RBIs, and 30 runs. But he will have to produce better numbers against the Rays. So far, he is hitting just .192 with three RBIs and two runs over seven games against them in his career. Bobby Witt Jr. has been exceptional this season. Amazingly, he is batting .208 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and 46 runs. Witt has hit .289 with four home runs, 13 RBI, and nine runs over 14 games against the Rays. Yet, he is only .241 with one home run, five RBIs, and four runs over eight road games against the Rays.
Vinnie Pasquantino is hoping to take it up a notch. At the moment, he is batting just .232 with five home runs, 32 RBIs, and 23 runs. Pasquantino is also hitting just .160 with one RBI over seven games against the Rays. Meanwhile, Salvador Perez is having a great season. Perez is batting .337 with nine home runs, 39 RBIs, and 20 runs. Also, he is hitting .260 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and 21 runs over 60 games against the Rays in his career.
But the Royals have also had good pitching. So far, they are eighth in team ERA. Their relievers have stumbled. Unfortunately, they are just 19th in team ERA and may be a liability late in games.
The Royals will cover the spread if their lineup can generate some scoring early. Then, they need Lugo to shut the door down.
Why The Rays Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Rays have regressed offensively this season. Currently, they are 16th in batting average. Tampa Bay also ranks 19th in runs, 23rd in home runs, and 25th in slugging percentage. Ultimately, some of their hitters have stumbled this season after hitting the baseball really well in 2023.
Randy Arozarena is struggling. Unfortunately, he is hitting just .162 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs, and 23 runs. Arozarena is also hitting .267 with five RBIs and three runs over seven games against the Royals. Plus, he is 0 for 3 against Lugo. Brandon Lowe is batting just .132 with one home run, four RBIs, and three runs over 11 games. Yet, he is 1 for 3 against Lugo.
Harold Ramirez is also hitting worse than he did last season. Currently, he is batting .262 with one home run, 12 RBIs, and 18 runs. Ramirez is also 0 for 2 against Lugo. Meanwhile, Yandy Diaz is producing lesser numbers. Diaz is batting just .255 with four home runs, 25 RBIs, and 22 runs. Yet, he is also hitting .320 with four home runs, 17 RBIs, and 17 runs over his career against the Royals.
The Rays have struggled on the mound. So far, they are just 22nd in team ERA. Tampa Bay also has not had a good bullpen. Sadly, their bullpen ranks 22nd in team ERA.
The Rays will cover the spread if they get good pitching from their entire team. Then, they need to solve Lugo.
Final Royals-Rays Prediction & Pick
The Royals are on fire right now. Conversely, the Rays are cold. It does not help the Rays that they will face the hottest pitcher on the Kansas City staff. Moreover, the Rays will trot out several pitchers in the hopes of containing this great lineup. Expect the Royals to capitalize on this and stay hot in this game, generating enough runs to pull away. The Royals win this game and cover the spread on the road to start the series.
Click here for more betting news and predictions
Final Royals-Rays Prediction & Pick: Kansas City Royals -1.5 (+134)
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