Rays vs Orioles Predictions, Odds & Player Props to Target (May 8)

• It’s an AL East showdown when the Orioles host the Rays on Monday, May 8th
• Owners of the best record in baseball, the Rays are -155 favorites in the MLB odds
• Check out the rest of the Rays vs Orioles predictions, odds and player prop picks

Not only are the Rays (28-7, 9-4 away) and Orioles (22-12, 9-4 home) the two best teams in their division, but they are 1-2 in the entire American League after just over a month of the season.

On Monday, May 8th, the Rays and Orioles begin a three game series that’s as important as they come at this time of year. A sweep by Baltimore would pull them within two games of Tampa for the division lead, but if the visitors bring their brooms to town, they could leave Maryland up eight games on the Orioles.

First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 6:35 pm ET and will be broadcast on NESN and Bally Sports Network. Have a look at the Rays vs Orioles odds below as well as our bets bets and picks. We’ll also provide some player prop picks for you to target if that piques your curiosity.

Rays vs Orioles Odds

No lead is safe against this Tampa team that’s been turning heads early on this campaign, and with that in mind, online sportsbooks have the Rays set up as -155 moneyline favorites for the first meeting between these two squads this season.

On Sunday afternoon, Tampa erased an early five run deficit to defeat the Yankees 8-7 in extra innings. They’ve no won eight of thei last 10, while the O’s have lost two straight. Forecasts are calling for a beautiful 77 degrees in Baltimore with limited wind for this ballgame.

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Odds as of May 7th at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Tampa Bay vs Baltimore Probable Pitchers

Tampa starter Shane McClanahan will be looking to become the first MLB pitcher to attain seven wins this season as he brings a spotless 6-0 record into this matchup. In short order, he’s become on of the top contenders in the Cy Young odds.

Most pitches thrown by MLB starting pitchers this season at 97+ MPH and with no more than 10" of drop (with gravity):

Spencer Strider, 111
Jacob deGrom, 76
Shane McClanahan, 51
Michael Kopech, 44
Mason Miller, 44
Hunter Greene, 33
Gerrit Cole, 29
(no one else with 10+) pic.twitter.com/tTS8MKW7N5

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 2, 2023

Only 26-years old, the Rays southpaw is getting better and better with each passing season. Last year, he got chose to his first all-star team and finished with the fifth best earned run average in the junior circuit.

He’s showing an increased ability to punch batters out this campaign, with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, the best mark of his young career. McClanahan has not given up more than two earned runs in any outing this season and is one of several reasons Tampa is now the favorites in the AL East Division odds.

McClanahan vs Gibson Stats

Signed to a one year, $10 million dollar contract in the off-season, 35-year old Kyle Gibson appears to be a solid and steady addition to a Baltimore rotation that doesn’t feature another starting pitcher above 30-years of age.

There has been some cause for concern when looking at his two most recent outings though. After beginning the year with a 4-0 record and 3.60 ERA in his first five starts, the 6’6 righty has gotten banged up for 18 hits and nine earned runs in his last two appearances while only striking out three hitters.

He’ll have to be at his best on Monday against an MLB starting lineups in Tampa, that features three players who ranked in the top 12 in batting average in the American League coming into Sunday’s games.

Rays vs Orioles Player Props Picks

If there was one team Randy Arozarena raked against last year, it was the Baltimore Orioles. He crushed six homers off O’s pitchers last season, more than he hit against any other team. The outfielder is currently on an eight game hitting streak with four long balls over that span.

Facing a pitcher who has an average fastball speed of 92 miles per hour and tops out below 95, expect Arozarena to jump all over Gibson in his plate appearances. Roll the dice on the Tampa slugger to bang one out at +550 odds.

Randy Arozarena gives the people what they want. 😤 pic.twitter.com/Kjtn9DzcrY

— MLB (@MLB) May 5, 2023

In their last two games, the O’s offense has struggled putting up just 13 hits and six runs over 21 innings. Going against McClanahan is likely to only prolong those woes. Take the Tampa lefty to record a win at money +120 odds.

Although Tampa might be considered favorites in this game anyway with their stellar performances so far this year, McClanahan is the main reason they are chalk in the MLB odds.

Rays vs Orioles Predictions

In the span of just over a month, the Rays have gone from +2100 to +750 in the odds to win the World Series, as they are currently the third betting favorite behind the Braves and Astros.

Baltimore has also been a pleasant surprise in the early going, but we have to take the visitors who just rallied for a huge win against another AL East rival on Sunday.

The Rays have not lost a single game McClanahan has started this season and have actually won by at least four runs in six of his seven starts. We’re going to roll with Tampa again in what should be a comfortable victory to kick this series off.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+110)