Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles, Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: May 31st, 2024

The Orioles and Rays face off for the first time this season at Camden Yards for an AL East rivalry weekend in Baltimore! Tampa Bay just spent the last three series at home, and now they begin a short road trip starting in Maryland. Ironically, after this weekend series against the O's, the Rays go down to Miami for two games, before hosting the Orioles at the Trop!

Nevertheless, let's talk about today's matchup! Aaron Civale starts for the visitors while the Orioles are starting 34 year old relief pitcher, Albert Suarez. Now, he's made 4 starts this season, and is coming off a great outing, but I don't expect him to last very long. He's gotten 2 wins in his 4 starts this year, plus the Orioles have actually won 3/4 games that he's started. Can they add to that total tonight?

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AL East Weekend Rivalry at Camden Yards

Matchup Information

• Venue & Location: Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
• Date: Friday, May 31st, 2024
• First Pitch: 7:05pm Eastern

Pitching Matchup

• Tampa Bay Rays: Aaron Civale (2-4, 5.72 ERA)
• Baltimore Orioles: Albert Suarez (2-0, 1.53 ERA)

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Run Line

• Rays +1.5 (-160)
• Orioles -1.5 (+140)

Money Line

• Rays +130
• Orioles -142

Total

• Over 8 (-115)
• Under 8 (-105)

Orioles Bats Have Been Hot at Home

It's wild to think that nearly 2 months into the season, these division rivals haven't matched up once against each other. However, we will get 7 games between them in 10 days. But for now, let's discuss tonight's matchup.

Aaron Civale starts for the Rays, and for lack of better words, this guy freaking sucks this year. He's allowed a run in all 11 starts, posting a 5.72 ERA. He hasn't been any better recently, allowing 2+ runs in his L9 starts, and a home run in 6 straight games, and 10/11 starts. The guy just gets shelled, especially on the road. In his four road starts, Civale's ERA jumps to 7.50, while his WHIP is 1.70. The Orioles bats should have no problem getting to him.

The discrepancy in run differential between these teams is astounding as well. The Rays are 8.5 games back from Baltimore, but they have a -48 run differential this season. Baltimore is on a much different side of the spectrum, as they boast a +69 differential. They are 4th in the AL in runs scored and 3rd in runs allowed.

Plus, the Rays are just 11-11 on the road and the Orioles sit at 19-11 at Camden Yards. Baltimore is very hot, winning 6 of their L7, and even starting Suarez, I trust the bats to get the job done. I'm all over the Orioles today.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles Best Bets

Best Bets: Orioles ML (-142) BetOnline

I've got 1.5u on the Orioles ML today to walk away with 1.06. BetOnline was hanging the best number on the market, and I trust these bats at home. So much so, that I've also got a half unit on the RL as well. Even in a "bullpen game", Baltimore should be fine at home. Albert Suarez pitched 4 shutout innings in his last start, and the Orioles are eager to keep up with the Yankees in the AL East standings.

Personally, I don't trust the Rays at all. Even after winnings 3 of their L4, they lost 6 straight prior to that, making them 3-7 in their L10. All but one of those games was at home, they haven't been impressive on the road and I would much rather put my money backing the home team on a Friday Night under the lights. Give the Orioles in dominant fashion tonight.

Bonus Bets: Orioles -1.5 (+140) BetOnline

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