Eight straight wins have only tightened Tampa Bay\u2019s stranglehold atop the American League East. The Rays (73-46) are in cruise control over the past few weeks, looking the part of a World Series contender. They\u2019ll hope to earn another series sweep on Wednesday when they face the Athletics (47-73). Can the A\u2019s put up a fight this afternoon at home?<\/p>\n
The Rays are favorites (-210)<\/a> over the Athletics, with the over\/under set at 9.5 runs<\/a>. Below, I\u2019ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Wednesday\u2019s showdown between Tampa Bay and the A\u2019s on DraftKings Sportsbook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rays vs. Athletics pick, best bet today<\/p>\n Rays -1.5 in first 5 innings (+124)<\/a>: Perkins has been an absolute mess, and the Rays are putting up football numbers in this series. On the other side, Rasmussen shouldn\u2019t have too much difficulty against a depleted A\u2019s lineup. Tampa Bay should race out to an early lead this afternoon.<\/p>\n Rays vs. Athletics prediction, preview<\/p>\n Tampa Bay\u2019s offense has been on an absolute tear lately (more on that later). However, the strength of this club remains quality starting pitching and exceptional defense. In regards to the latter mark, the Rays are second in the majors with 68 defensive runs saved. That\u2019s a boon for any pitcher, especially a ground ball specialist such as Drew Rasmussen. It\u2019s been another terrific campaign from the two-time All-Star. Through 124.1 innings (22 starts), he\u2019s notched a 2.75 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 130 strikeouts (9.4 K\/9). Rasmussen has allowed zero runs and seven hits over his last three outings (20.0 IP) combined.<\/p>\n Earlier this season, battling the Athletics at Sutter Health Park would be a tall order. However, this group has looked absolutely lost at the plate in recent weeks. Since July 1st, their 126 runs are the fourth-lowest mark in all of baseball. That\u2019s without factoring in a pair of key injuries for Nick Kurtz (thumb) and Shea Langeliers (knee). The A\u2019s are averaging 4.68 runs per game at home, tenth-most in the league. That\u2019s a solid mark by all metrics, but it\u2019s not enough to consider fading Rasmussen. When the right-hander pitched in Sacramento last season, he tossed six innings of one-run, three-hit ball.<\/p>\n If the A\u2019s are going to have any shot to win this one, it\u2019ll take a decent showing from Jack Perkins. Trouble is, those have been extremely rare this season. The reliever turned starter has struggled in both roles. Over 28 appearances (76.2 IP), the righty is on the hook for a dismal 7.04 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Perkins has surrendered 11 earned runs combined over his previous two contests. Erratic command (3.6 BB\/9) and plenty of homers (1.8 HR\/9) have been the 26-year-old\u2019s greatest weaknesses.<\/p>\n On paper, the Rays aren\u2019t exactly a powerhouse offense. The team is 13th in runs scored (541) and 21st in homers (127). With that being said, throw those numbers out of the window. Inside the friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, anything is possible. The AL East leaders have scored ten and 12 runs respectively during the first two games of this series. Big bats such as Junior Caminero (153 wRC+), Yandy Diaz (134 wRC+) and Jonathan Aranda (127 wRC+) should do some damage. If the A\u2019s decide to pull Perkins, there\u2019s no guarantee things improve; they own an MLB-worst 5.83 bullpen ERA<\/p>\n