Rays vs Athletics Predictions, Odds & Props to Target (June 15)

• With 30 wins separating the two sides, the Athletics host the Rays on Thursday, June 15th
• Oddsmakers haven’t made the Rays enormous favorites, as they’re -200 chalk on the moneyline
• Have a look at all the Rays vs Athletics odds, predictions, and player prop picks

Residing on totally opposite ends of Major League Baseball’s totem pole, the Rays (49-22, 18-15 away) close out a four game series against the Athletics (19-51, 9-25 home) on Thursday, June 15th at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Opening pitch is scheduled for 3:37 pm ET in a game you can watch on Bally Sports Sun and NBC Sports California. Something strange must be in the air, as Oakland had won seven in a row, including the first two games of this series, prior to Wednesday night’s 6-3 loss to Tampa.

No team has worse World Series odds than the A’s, while only the Braves own shorter odds to win it all than Tampa. Can Oakland do the unthinkable and steal three of four from the best team in baseball? We break it down, plus provide the Rays vs Athletics odds as well as player props to target below.

Rays vs Athletics Odds

Riding a wave of momentum, the A’s scored consecutive one run victories over Tampa after returning from a nine game road trip. They even had a two run lead through four innings on Wednesday night, before ultimately succumbing to the Rays.

Sportsbooks have the Rays set up as -200 moneyline favorites for the finale to this four-game set. It’s looking like a perfect day for baseball in the Bay Area, with mostly sunny skies and game-time temperatures expected to be around 70 degrees. There is a 0% chance for rain in the forecast.

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Tampa Bay vs Oakland Probable Pitchers

Rookie Taj Bradley takes to the hill for Tampa to conclude the series. He’s had an up and down freshman season thus far. In his last start, he faced one of the best MLB starting lineups and had the shortest outing of his career, giving up four earned runs in three and two-third innings of work against the Texas Rangers.

Control has become a bit of a concern for the 22-year old of late. Bradley issued just five walks in his first 30 innings of work at the big league level, but has given up seven walks in his last eight and two-third frames of work. Avoiding freebies will be paramount to success against the A’s, who are the worst hitting team in baseball.

Bradley vs Blackburn Stats

As the longest tenured member of the Oakland A’s, you’ve got to think Paul Blackburn has helped instill some pride into his squad. Now in his seventh season with the Athletics, the all-star came back from injury to make his season debut just a couple weeks ago.

Prior to Blackburn’s first appearance, Oakland had a record of 10-45, but ever since he got back on the mound, they’re 9-6. Although he hasn’t registered a decision, the A’s are 2-1 in his three starts. In his last outing, he blanked the Brewers over six innings of work.

Rays vs Athletics Player Prop Picks

For the first time since April, Yandy Diaz almost let his batting average dip below .300, however he singled in his first at-bat on the way to a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Going hitless in his first two games of the series, expect the 31-year old to continue his hot streak at the plate and take him get over 1.5 hits in this one.

highest % of swings producing hard contact, 2023 (min 150 batted balls):

Juan Soto: 23.9%
Yandy Díaz: 23.7%
Ronald Acuña Jr: 23.4%
Vladimir Guerrero Jr: 22.7%
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 22.6%

hard contact = 95+ mph

2023 results on hard contact: .500 BA, .982 SLG

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 13, 2023

On Oakland’s side, shortstop Aledmys Diaz is in danger of falling below the Mendoza Line. He’s batting just .195 at home this year and only has three hits in 17 at-bats against Tampa pitchers. Bet against Oakland’s Diaz reaching base with the bat, and pick him to have under 0.5 hits on Thursday.

Rays vs Athletics Predictions

Fans in Oakland have become increasingly vocal about their disgust with owner John Fisher and demonstrated their displeasure throughout this series. On Tuesday, their frustrations culminated in a creative show of protest with what the fan base dubbed a “reverse boycott.”

"Stay in Oakland!" 🗣️

A's fans are out in force for the reverse boycott

(via @FCartoscelli3)pic.twitter.com/BmxNtIYkPG

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 14, 2023

Routinely getting sparse attendance in the cavernous coliseum, a season-high 27,759 showed up for Tuesday’s win against the league-best Rays, In the five other Tuesday night home games this season, the A’s averaged a pitiful 3,913 per game.

A boost from the fans has also seemed to raise the play of the hosts and garnered them some respect in the MLB odds. Proving they’re no pushover, they’ve given the Rays all they can handle. Although they might not win outright, picking them to cover on the run line is well worth the odds at +105 given their recent play.

Pick: Oakland Athletics Run Line +1.5 (+105)