MLB wagering interest swings to the Tampa Bay vs Oakland battle on Saturday at Tropicana Field as the Rays try to defend home turf and reward moneyline bettors.

Tampa Bay hands the ball to starter Jeremy Hellickson in this one and he'll try to improve on his 8-8 mark on the year. Oakland counters with Brandon McCarthy, who will try to quiet the fans and the Rays bats at the same time.



View Oakland vs Tampa Bay Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Baseball odds makers opened the Rays as -160 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under bettors saw the number open at 7.5.

Power Rankings:
The Rays - Athletics odds would favor the Rays if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Tampa Bay is rated No. 4 in the current American League Odds Shark poll, while Oakland is at No. 11 in the American League.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to getting on base, the visiting Athletics rank No. 14 in the American League at 7.8 hits per game. That compares with Tampa Bay’s No. 13 ranking in that category.

Tampa Bay owns the American League's No. 1 defense, allowing 3.6 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Oakland's American League No. 2-rated defense.

Oakland won its last outing, a 5-4 result against the Rays on August 24. Bettors who backed the Athletics at +180 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (9) sent OVER bettors to the payout window. Oakland looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Rays, a 5-4 final on Friday in support of Jarrod Parker at Tropicana Field.




Oakland Athletics Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Texas are 6-4
After playing Oakland are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few Athletics at Rays trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oakland's last 12 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Oakland's last 15 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Tampa Bay's last 15 games at home
Tampa Bay is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games when playing at home against Oakland


Next up:
Oakland at Cleveland, Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay at Texas, Monday, August 27