by Rod Pearson
Friday, Aug 18, 2023
Game Time: 9:07 pm ET, Saturday, August 19, 2023
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: BSW
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Rays -120, Angels +100; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Rays -120, Angels +100; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Rays -120, Angels +100; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
Tampa Bay Rays: 73-50 (2nd place, AL East)
Los Angeles Angels: 60-62 (4th place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Angels: 4-6 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels Preview and Analysis
The Rays are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 73-50 record overall and have a road record of 33-28. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the LA Angels on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .771 OPS. Erasmo Ramírez is their starting pitcher on Friday while Zach Eflin is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 12-7 with a 3.67 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 3 Ks on 9 hits through 3 IP against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Angels are entering this series off a win but lost their 3-game series against the Texas Rangers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 60-62 record overall and have a home record of 31-28. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 6th in the MLB with a .761 OPS. Tyler Anderson is their starting pitcher on Friday while Chase Silseth is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 BB with 5 strikeouts on 4 hits through 5 innings played against the Houston Astros.
Rays vs Angels Prediction
The current betting odds have the Angels listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rays have been rolling lately with one of the best records in the MLB and one of the best offenses too but they are still trying to chase down the Orioles in 1st place of the AL East and as good as the Rays have been this season, they have still been really mediocre in their road games. The Angels have been terrible themselves lately as they have fallen under .500 now but they have still been a lot better at home and they will be looking to bounce back and get back on a roll here. They do have Silseth starting in this game who has been pitching very well in his starts lately and has been lights out at home too. Meanwhile, the Rays are going with Eflin in this game who just gave up 6 runs in his last start and just like the Rays as a team this season, Eflin has been a lot worse on the road. The Angels don't have a bad offense either as they actually have had one of the best offenses in the MLB all season and they will find the spark they need in this home game to put up some runs and get back on track. The best way to place a bet here is on the Angels to win this game.
Rays Angels Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, August 19, 2023 (9:07 pm ET start time) is Angels 8 Rays 4.
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MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Rays: 64-32 (+12.7 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 53-33 (+8 units) on the moneyline when the total is 7 to 8.5. 22-14 UNDER as a road favorite of -110 or higher. 17-10 UNDER on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5.
Los Angeles Angels: 60-62 (-7.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 39-51 (-9.6 units) on the moneyline against AL East opponents. 32-19 UNDER after 6 consecutive games versus division rivals.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Rays: J. Siri (CF) Ques Fri - Finger. K. Kelly (SP) Out indefinitely - Ankle. S. McClanahan (SP) out for season - Forearm. M. Margot (CF) Mid Sept - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Prob Fri - Elbow. T. Walls (SS) Out indefinitely - Oblique. F. Mejia (C) Early Sept - Knee. D. Rasmussen (RP) out for season - Elbow. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow.
Los Angeles Angels: C. Cron (1B)Ques Fri - Back. C. Devenski (RP) Late Aug - Hamstring. J. Adell (LF) Mid Sept - Oblique. Z. Neto (SS) Mid Sept - Back. J. Suarez (RP) Late Aug - Shoulder. B. Joyce (RP) Late Aug - Hand. M. Trout (CF) Late Aug - Wrist. T. Ward (RF) Late Sept - Face. L. O'Hoppe (C) Early Sept - Shoulder. S. Bachman (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. A. Rendon (3B) Late Aug - Shin. G. Urshela (3B) out for season - Pelvis. M. Stassi (C) Out indefinitely - Hip. A. Warren (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Quijada (RP) out for season - Elbow. C. Rodriguez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“That was really cool. It looked like a rat running across the top of the fence.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s win against the Giants in their game on Wednesday.
“It was kind of one of the things that we thought about, like get him back out there, so not to dwell on his last couple of outings for a whole week. He made some adjustments in between starts. ... I’m really proud of him. He’s gone through a lot for a young kid who’s going to be a big part of our future.” - Phil Nevin after his team’s win against the Rangers in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Diaz (R) 1B
Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Josh Lowe (L) RF
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Osleivis Basabe (R) SS
Jose Siri (R) CF
Christian Bethancourt (R) C
Los Angeles Angels
Mickey Moniak (L) CF
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Brandon Drury (R) 2B
Mike Moustakas (L) 1B
Luis Rengifo (S) SS
Matt Thaiss (L) C
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B
Randal Grichuk (R) LF
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Yandy Diaz (.322)
Hits: Yandy Diaz (129)
Home Runs: Isaac Paredes (23)
RBI: Isaac Paredes (71)
Stolen Bases: Wander Franco (30)
Wins: Zach Eflin (12)
Saves: Pete Fairbanks (15)
ERA: Chase Anderson (0.00)
Los Angeles Angels
Batting Average: Shohei Ohtani (.306)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (137)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (42)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (85)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (17)
Wins: Shohei Ohtani (10)
Saves: Carlos Estevez (26)
ERA: Reynaldo Lopez (1.17)
Managers:
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)
Los Angeles Angels: Phil Nevin (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
