The Tampa Bay Rays look to emerge victorious in MLB odds action as the Athletics arrive at Tropicana Field on Friday.

It's a pitching duel between Jeff Niemann for the Rays (5-4 on the year) and Guillermo Moscoso for Oakland (4-4 so far).



View Oakland vs Tampa Bay Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had installed the Rays as -150 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 8.5 before betting started to move the line.

Power Rankings:
The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Rays at No. 10 in the American League and the Athletics at No. 4 in the American League heading into this contest.



How They Match Up:
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Tampa Bay's American League No. 7-ranked scoring average of 4.3 runs per game, against a Athletics offense rated No. 13 and scoring 3.8 runs per game in the league. The Rays have averaged 8.2 hits per game to date this season, less than the Athletics hitters have managed (8.3 per nine innings).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Tampa Bay has the American League's No. 4-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Athletics own the American League's No. 5 mark in runs allowed.

Last time out for Oakland, they were a 7-4 loser as they battled the Mariners on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Mariners at +139 were rewarded, while the 11 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Oakland looks to rebound from a loss to the Mariners, who beat them 7-4 on Wednesday behind a start from Charlie Furbush at Safeco Field.

Last time out for Tampa Bay, they were a 7-6 Sportsbook as they battled the Blue Jays at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Rays at -113 were rewarded, while the 13 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Tampa Bay needed extra innings to get the job done against the Blue Jays on Thursday as the Rays defeated them 7-6 at Tropicana Field.


Oakland Athletics Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Oakland are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a win are 3-7

A few Athletics at Rays trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Oakland's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing at home against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games


Next up:
Oakland at Tampa Bay, Saturday, August 6