Odds Say Neither Robbie Ray or Trevor Bauer Will be Traded Before July 31 Deadline

• The subjects of intense trade speculation as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, both Robbie Ray and Trevor Bauer are favored to remain with their respective clubs 
• Ray has been red-hot in recent starts, and sports a respectable 9-6 record with a 3.95 ERA with the Arizona Diamondbacks
• With the Cleveland Indians returning to contention in the AL Central, Bauer looks increasingly unlikely to be dealt by Wednesday’s deadline

With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, trade speculation has heated up across Major League Baseball. However, a pair of veteran starting pitchers have emerged as strong favorites to remain with their existing clubs, with Robbie Ray pegged as a -115 bet to remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Trevor Bauer sporting short -175 odds to stay with the Cleveland Indians.

What Team Will Robbie Ray Play For After The 2019 MLB Trade Deadline?

Diamondbacks’ Resurgence Dampens Ray Trade Speculation

Ray has enjoyed a solid season in the Arizona desert, compiling a 9-6 record with a respectable 3.95 ERA. The 27-year-old has recently displayed the form that powered him to a 15-5 record and a trip to the MLB All-Star Game in 2017, picking up wins in four straight starts, while allowing just nine total earned runs in 24.1 innings of work.

Sitting down 10 in a winning effort vs the Orioles on Monday night, Robbie Ray moved past a franchise legend for 4th all-time on this list of @Dbacks pitchers pic.twitter.com/05Jd8k7VwW

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) July 23, 2019

The southpaw is reportedly drawing interest from several postseason contenders, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros. Both the Yankees and Astros look destined for the postseason, and enter the weekend with wide leads atop their respective divisions.

It is no secret that the Yankees would like to add upgrades to a pitching staff that has been hobbled by injuries throughout the season

It is no secret that the Yankees would like to add upgrades to a pitching staff that has been hobbled by injuries throughout the season. Luis Severino has yet to throw a pitch this season as he struggles to rebound from a shoulder injury. And New York, which is pegged as a +230 bet to land Ray, has felt the effect of Severino’s absence, especially over the past week, with Yankees’ hurlers surrendering 10.8 runs per game over the team’s past five outings, capped by Thursday’s lopsided 19-3 loss in Boston.

Let's take a peek at the #Yankees recent starting pitching…

7/21 Paxton: 7 R (4 ER)
7/22 Sabathia: 7 R (6 ER)
7/23 German: 8 ER
7/24 Happ: 6 ER
7/25 Tanaka: 7 ER (so far) pic.twitter.com/DFwip82koH

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 25, 2019

Listed as a +300 bet to deal for Ray, the Phillies remain without starter Jerad Eickhoff as he nurses an arm injury. It has been a wildly inconsistent campaign for the Phillies, but the club remains in striking distance of first-place Atlanta in the NL East. The Astros lag at +600, and sport the healthiest rotation of the top three contenders to land Ray, but would love to add another left-handed arm to the staff to complement Wade Miley. But the decision on where Ray closes out the season will likely hinge on whether the Diamondbacks think they can make a run into wild card contention.

Both NL and AL Wild Card races have a lot left to figure out before the deadline and with 2 months to go!!! Who do you have in both leagues? @Athletics @SFGiants @Angels @Dbacks @Rangers pic.twitter.com/wtovqRJxJG

— WestCoastBiasSports (@BiasCoast) July 26, 2019

Arizona opened Friday’s action 14.5 games back of Los Angeles for top spot in the NL West, but remain squarely in the NL wild card hunt, just 3.5 games back. But with a tough schedule coming up that includes series with the Yankees, Dodgers, Washington nationals, and Colorado Rockies, it may take a strong performance from the team in this weekend’s series in Miami to keep Ray in the Diamondback fold.

Pick: Yankees (+230)

What Team Will Trevor Bauer Play For After The 2019 MLB Trade Deadline?

Bauer Likely Key to Indians’ Pursuit of Divisional Crown

Postseason aspirations are also playing a key role in whether the Indians will move Bauer before the deadline. The 28-year-old has been steady on the mound since going 0-5 over eight starts during a run that started in early May. Bauer has gone 5-1 in nine starts since, capped by a stellar 7.2-inning shutout performance in Cleveland’s 2-1 loss in Toronto on Tuesday, and has been key to the resurrection of Cleveland’s playoff hopes.

Indeed, the Indians have been one of the hottest teams in baseball since mid-June, posting consecutive losses on just two occasions during a 26-9 run that has all but wiped out the Twins’ previously dominating lead atop the AL Central.

The @Indians are 13-3 since July 3rd#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/KMUkqYa3Qg

— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) July 23, 2019

The San Diego Padres have been mentioned as a possible destination for the native of North Hollywood, California, sporting short +250 odds, as have the Yankees and Phillies, who are pegged at +400 and +450, respectively. However, with the prospect of a fourth straight divisional title emerging as a real possibility, and unfinished business remaining from Cleveland’s last trip to the World Series in 2016, it is tough seeing the Indians part with Bauer before Wednesday’s deadline.

Pick: Indians (-175)