With the playoffs on the horizon, the contest between the Tampa Bay Rays (70-72) and Baltimore Orioles (82-61) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards is not just another late-season game. This game, which is fixed for Sunday, will see a struggling Rays team face the mighty Orioles, seeking a decent standing for the post-season. This article provides multi-handicapper tips for dealing with the odds and expectations of this interesting MLB clash.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles 9/8/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 12:05 PM ET |
| Where: | Oriole Park at Camden Yards |
| Watch: | Roku, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Rays odds: | +167 Moneyline |
| Orioles odds: | -200 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 7.5 |
Tampa Bay Rays (70-72) vs. Baltimore Orioles (82-61)
The Tampa Bay Rays, which currently records 70 wins and 72 lost, has made some progress, although at, in some instances, in an uphill battle manner. Their last victory over the Orioles with a massive score of 7-1 magnified their capabilities. It was quite a drastic change from their losses to the same opponent. Most importantly, the games against Minnesota ended with a split, with a comfortable 9-4 victory first. Then, there were several close losses, pointing out again how inconsistency has been the name of the game.
| Tampa Bay Rays Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 7, 2024 | BAL | 7-1 | Win |
| Sep 6, 2024 | BAL | 0-2 | Lose |
| Sep 5, 2024 | MIN | 3-4 | Lose |
| Sep 4, 2024 | MIN | 9-4 | Win |
| Sep 3, 2024 | MIN | 2-1 | Win |
On the other hand, the Baltimore Orioles have bolstered their position as a top challenger, as seen in their recent encounters. Their nasty batting has been best displayed at home, with notable victories against the Rays and the Chicago White Sox, although they have had occasional blips within their sequence.
| Baltimore Orioles Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 7, 2024 | TB | 1-7 | Lose |
| Sep 6, 2024 | TB | 2-0 | Win |
| Sep 4, 2024 | CHW | 1-8 | Lose |
| Sep 3, 2024 | CHW | 9-0 | Win |
| Sep 2, 2024 | CHW | 13-3 | Win |
Zack Littell (5-9, 4.04 ERA) vs. Corbin Burnes (13-7, 3.19 ERA)
Zack Littell of the Rays, who has a 5-9 record and an earned run average of 4.04, steps up to the occasion and succeeds or fails to different extents during the season. Among other things, Littell has been prone to give up home runs (21 HRs), and with his WHIP of 1.35, troubles await, more so with a muscled Orioles lineup He will be key in containing the top of the Orioles lineup that has some big hitters.
Corbin Burnes, representing the Orioles on the mound, has been consistent, with a 13-7 record and an excellent 3.19 ERA. With such numbers as WHIP and 154 strikeouts offer, one cannot blame Burns for his image that he can be a stack slayer. The latter would be imperative in preventing the Rays’ bats from going wild and winning a couple of the games at home.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Baltimore Orioles -1.5 (+112), Total Odds: 7.5
The betting landscape shows a tilt towards the Orioles, favored heavily in the moneyline at -200, reflecting their superior season performance and home advantage. The point spread at -1.5 (+112) for the Orioles suggests expectations for a relatively close game, but with Baltimore potentially pulling away late.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends
The Rays have had considerable difficulties in their recent matches against the Orioles, as they have lost 3 out of their last 14 games — 11, again showing a mismatch. Also, when out of the home turf, they tend to have great defensive battles, which can be inferred by the over/under total trends say 13 of their last 18 games have gone UNDER.
Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends
On the other hand, the Orioles support a very strong form of play, especially in September, where they are 10-3 in their last 13 games. Just as they score more at home, the total has other most recent 6 home matches going OVER in 4 games, which says their offense is heavy and could capitalize on the weakness of the Rays’ pitching.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles 9/8/24 Betting Picks
Therefore, based on the trends and the match-ups, it would be reasonable to back the Baltimore Orioles -1.5 spread to cover the line. There is a considerable advantage due to the Orioles’ line up and Burnes’ skill on the hill. Further, after evaluating both teams’ scoring trends and pitching matchups, the OVER on total line is worth the risk.
When it comes to Free MLB picks, and wagers in particular, prop bets for individual matches that strikeouts, Corbin Burnes, for instance, has a good probability of offering value given the season he has had. The focus is simple; given Baltimore’s high level and offensive abilities, there is no way to overcome all the difficulties that Tampa Bay poses.