Tampa Bay Rays (65-64) vs. Seattle Mariners (65-65)
A thrilling week of Major League Baseball is set to unfold, and the betting excitement heats up on Monday, August 26, 2024, featuring an 11-game lineup. This article focuses on the American League clash at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, highlighting the anticipated matchup between the Rays and Mariners.
Tampa Bay and Seattle kick off a three-game series, with the Mariners favored at -120 on the moneyline and a total set at 7.0 runs.
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Rays Race Against Time
With Sunday’s games excluded from the analysis, the 65-64 Tampa Bay Rays faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in a decisive third game of their series. After losing the opener 7-3, they bounced back with a thrilling 9-8 victory in ten innings.
This win marked Tampa Bay’s sixth in their last nine games. However, they find themselves seven games adrift of the final wild-card spot in the American League. With the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles pulling ahead, the Rays are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
The Rays displayed a rare offensive explosion last Saturday, scoring nine runs. Yet, they rank 28th in the MLB for runs scored per game (3.88) and 25th in OPS (.679). Over the past week, they have struggled at the plate, hitting just .203/.259/.351 with 12 doubles and six home runs in 202 at-bats.
Ryan Pepiot is slated to take the mound at T-Mobile Park on Monday. The 27-year-old right-hander boasts a 7-5 record, a 3.65 ERA, and a solid 104/33 K/BB ratio over 19 starts (98.2 innings pitched) in 2024. Recently, Pepiot has excelled, recording a 1.67 ERA and a .487 opposing OPS in his last six outings, totaling 32.1 innings.
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Mariners Facing Uncertainty
The Seattle Mariners, currently at 65-65, faced off against the San Francisco Giants in a critical rubber match on Sunday. After winning the opener 6-5 in ten innings, they fell 4-3 in the second game, marking their ninth loss in 11 games. This loss was particularly notable as it was the first for new manager Dan Wilson.
Earlier this week, the Mariners dismissed Scott Servais due to a steep decline in performance, having lost a ten-game lead in the AL West since mid-June. As of Sunday morning, they sat 4.5 games behind the division-leading Houston Astros.
Seattle’s offense has been struggling throughout the season, ranking 27th in runs scored per game (3.94) and 28th in OPS (.665). Over the past week, their batting average plummeted to .195/.307/.268, with merely six doubles and two home runs in 164 at-bats.
On the mound, Bryce Miller is expected to start Monday’s game. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 9-7 record, a 3.32 ERA, and a 133/33 K/BB ratio across 25 starts (143.2 innings). Despite recent success, Miller allowed two earned runs in his last outing against the LA Dodgers, ending a streak of two consecutive scoreless games against the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.
Betting Insights for Rays vs. Mariners
Ryan Pepiot is set to face the Mariners for the second time this season. In their previous encounter on June 26, he overwhelmed Seattle, striking out eight in 5.1 innings, allowing just one run and one hit. The current Mariners lineup has struggled against Pepiot, managing only 2-for-16 with a home run in their confrontations.
Conversely, Bryce Miller will make his first appearance against the Rays this season. Last year, he struggled against them, finishing with a 0-1 record and a troubling 7.56 ERA in two starts. Presently, the Rays have fared better against him, hitting 7-for-19 with two doubles.
Given their recent struggles at the plate, a tightly contested matchup is expected. Both teams’ bullpens have performed admirably recently, with Tampa Bay posting a 3.38 ERA and Seattle an impressive 2.66 ERA over the past week, making the outcome of this game unpredictable.
