Tampa Bay Rays (62-62) vs. Oakland Athletics (54-71)
The 2024 Major League Baseball season progresses on Wednesday, August 21, featuring a clash between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum. Fans can catch the first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.
This match marks the third encounter in a four-game series, where the Athletics secured a 3-0 victory in the opener. The outcome of the second game will not be included in this analysis.
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Tampa Bay Rays Struggling to Find Their Rhythm
After a successful three-game sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Tampa Bay Rays faced a setback, managing only two hits in their recent game against the Athletics. This marked their sixth loss in ten games, leaving them at 62-62 and trailing the final American League wild card spot by 7.5 games.
The Rays’ performance has been marked by inconsistency throughout the season. They rank 13th in the majors with a 3.94 ERA, yet they average only 3.90 runs per game, placing them among the lowest-scoring teams in baseball. Over the past few weeks, they have recorded the lowest OPS in the league at .589.
Starting for the Rays on Wednesday is Ryan Pepiot. The 26-year-old right-hander has a record of 6-5, with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, including a K/BB ratio of 99/32 in 18 starts (92.2 innings pitched). After a month-long stint on the injured list, Pepiot returned to the rotation last Friday, tossing 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks, allowing two unearned runs on five hits.
This will be Pepiot’s second matchup against the Athletics this season. He previously pitched 5.2 innings of two-run ball on May 29, resulting in a no-decision, as the Rays edged the A’s 4-3.
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Athletics Riding a Wave of Momentum
Following their shutout victory over the Rays, the Oakland Athletics improved to 54-71 this season. This win was part of their impressive stretch, achieving eight victories in 12 games. The Athletics have triumphed in three consecutive three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets, along with splitting a two-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
In recent weeks, the Athletics have managed a batting line of .243/.333/.355, hitting 16 doubles and eight home runs over 358 at-bats. On the pitching side, they have posted a 3.31 ERA and a .210 batting average against.
Mitch Spence is slated to start for the Athletics on Wednesday. The 26-year-old rookie has a record of 7-8, with a 4.64 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and an 87/34 K/BB ratio over 16 starts and 11 relief appearances (108.2 IP) this season. His last outing was challenging, yielding five earned runs on four hits and three walks in just 2.2 innings against the Mets.
Spence faced the Rays earlier this season on May 28, where he achieved a dominant 3-0 victory, allowing just one hit and one walk over 5.1 innings.
Strategic Betting Insights for Rays vs. Athletics
Betting on this matchup presents challenges. The Rays’ offense has struggled recently, posting an 80 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers in the last ten days. Despite this, their pitching staff remains competitive, with the Rays bullpen recording a 2.49 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a .211 batting average against in the past ten days across 43.1 innings.
The Athletics, on the other hand, boast a 123 wRC+ against righties over the same period, which significantly bolsters their chances. Their bullpen has been equally effective, achieving a 3.29 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a .186 batting average against in 27.1 innings.
