Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview/Prop Picks
12 August 2022
Time: 7:10 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore 15.660; Tampa Bay 14.721
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 1; 9
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-152); 7 ½
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+129); Over
The battle for several positions in the AL East continues with this game. The Baltimore Orioles, with a record of 58-53, is currently ranked fourth in the division.
They’re coming off of a tough 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox and need to bounce back tonight. Taking on one of their rivals should help them bring the intensity they need. The question is, will it be enough?
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game with a 58-52 record and are third in the division. Playing at home gives them quite the advantage here, especially with their home record.
The Rays are coming off of two straight losses, both of which were to the Milwaukee Brewers. To create some separation in the division, the Rays need to find a way to win tonight.
Baltimore Orioles: Pitching could prove to be a problem tonight
Before we take a look at who the Orioles have on the mound, let’s check out their batters. Near the top of the group is Cedric Mullins, who has an ERA of .263 this season.
As a team, the Orioles have a batting average of .237, however, ranking 22nd overall. Poor batting usually always leads to losses. Still, the Orioles have found a way to stay competitive.
A big problem we see for them tonight is who they have on the mound. Getting the start tonight is Austin Voth, who has a 2-1 record with a 5.53 ERA. Although you can’t place the blame solely on him for his ERA, it’s still concerning.
Through 55.1 innings, he’s allowed 70 hits and eight home runs. The good news is that the Rays aren’t starting their ace tonight.
Tampa Bay Rays: Corey Kluber takes the mound
Corey Kluber will get the start for the Rays tonight. With a record of 7-6 and an ERA of 4.06, the Rays have a better pitcher but not by much.
The key here is can Kluber retire the Orioles batters early and avoid Baltimore taking a lead. If he can do that, this game will be considered a success for Kluber. However, if he can’t, the Orioles could come away with a win tonight.
Backing up Kluber is a string of batters, including Yandy Diaz. Diaz has an ERA of .274, the best on the team in regard to batting average. Along with him is Randy Arozarena, who has put up 52 RBIs this season.
As a team, however, they rank 22nd in overall batting average (.238). They have an on-base percentage of .307, ranking 22nd, and are 23rd in runs (449).
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Pick
This is a tough one because the teams are so similar. Neither one of them is starting a strong pitcher, and both teams are mediocre at the plate. However, the Orioles were able to clear two big wins over the Blue Jays.
Coming in as +129 underdogs also gives us a chance to earn more winnings. Austin Voth on the mound gives us a bit of a cause for concern, but we’ll trust him here. We’re going with the Baltimore Orioles +129 on the road over the Rays.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Baltimore Orioles +129, OVER
Prop Picks
Baltimore (+100) OVER 3.5 Runs
Baltimore is averaging 4.23 runs per 9 innings on offense, which ranks No. 19 in the league. That average increases to 5.00 runs per 9 innings in the Orioles’ last 12 road games. Scores have gone OVER in six of the Orioles’ last nine games overall.
With Dunkel predicting a Baltimore victory by the score of 5-4, take the Orioles (+100) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 3.5 runs against the Rays.
Baltimore (+110) Most Hits
Baltimore is averaging 7.99 hits per 9 innings on offense, which ranks No. 20 in the league. That average increases to 8.02 hits per 9 innings on the road. Tampa Bay is averaging 7.96 hits per 9 innings on offense, which ranks No. 21 in the league. That average decreases to 7.56 hits per 9 innings at home.
With Dunkel predicting an Orioles victory while going OVER their Vegas run total, take Baltimore (+110) to finish with more hits than Tampa Bay.
Randy Arozarena (-105) OVER 0.5 Runs Scored
Arozarena has scored 46 runs in 105 games played, which ranks No. 2 on the Rays. The left fielder has scored 6 runs in 65 at-bats with an OPS .924 against Baltimore, the most runs he has scored against a team this season.
With Dunkel predicting the final score going OVER the Vegas run total, take Arozarena (-105) to finish OVER 0.5 runs scored versus Baltimore.
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