June 21, 2026, 11:36 p.m. ET
The Kansas City Royals (32-46) and Tampa Bay Rays (43-31) open a 4-game series Monday at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Royals vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025 season series: Tied 3-3
The Royals are coming off a 12-10 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday as +110 underdogs with the Over (9) cashing. SP Stephen Kolek surrendered 9 runs in just 1 2/3 innings. 1B Jac Caglianone hit 2 HRs and had 3 RBIs. 2B Michael Massey went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, and DH Carter Jensen reached base 4 times with a homer, single, and 2 walks. Kansas City won the series over St. Louis 2-1.
The Rays got a 4-3 home win over the Washington Nationals Sunday as -130 favorites with the Under (8.5) cashing. CF Jonny DeLuca went 2 for 4 with a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 7th inning. RF Ryan Vilade had a solo homer, and DH Yandy Diaz reached base 3 times with a double, single, and a walk. Tampa Bay won the series over Washington 2-1.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Royals at Rays projected starters
RHP Michael Wacha vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen
Wacha (4-5, 3.64 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 94 innings.
Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in a 6-4 loss at Washington Nationals TuesdayCareer vs. Rays: 3-5, 4.93 ERA (49 1/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.25 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 9 starts2026 on road: 1-3, 4.44 ERA, (46 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 45 H, 17 BB, 36 K in 8 starts
Rasmussen (6-3, 2.59 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 0.87 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 80 innings.
Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 1-0 loss at Los Angeles Dodgers TuesdayCareer vs. Royals: 4-1, 2.38 ERA (22 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 6 starts2026 at home: 4-1, 2.88 ERA, (34 1/3 IP, 11 ER), 26 H, 7 BB, 37 K in 6 startsRoyals at HOME odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:31 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Royals +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Rays -185 (bet $185 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-150) | Rays -1.5 (+125)Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Royals at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction
Rays 5, Royals 4
PASS.
The Royals (+150) should hang tough in this game, but betting against the Rays (-125) at home with Rasmussen on the mound would be a stretch. Rasmussen has allowed 2 runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts. Tampa Bay’s offense ranks third in the majors in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage.
BET ROYALS +1.5 (-150).
Kansas City’s offense is hot, scoring 64 runs over its past 10 games. Wacha has been steady this season, giving up more than 4 runs only twice on the year. The Royals swept the Rays in Tampa in 2025.
BET OVER 7.5 (+100).
I don’t think Rasmussen will necessarily struggle, but Kansas City’s offense has enough momentum right now to tag him with a few runs. The Royals have hit the Over in 5 of their last 6 games.
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