Tampa Bay’s AL Pennant Odds Worsen Amid Latest Losing Streak

• The Rays’ Austin Meadows is 3-for-36 in his last 10 games entering Friday’s game in Oakland
• Blake Snell is 4-5 with a 3.70 ERA for the Rays this season
• Rays pitcher Charlie Morton has had two straight outings without a victory following a four-appearance winning streak

The Tampa Bay Rays are in an interesting position heading into this weekend as the AL East Race looks to be between them, the Red Sox and Yankees.

The Yankees (+225)  acquired Edwin Encarnacion from the Mariners which has made an immediate impact. They now have the same odds as the Astros at (+225) to win the AL Pennant and will have Aaron Judge return to their starting lineup. The Red Sox (+900) face another AL East team in the Blue Jays this weekend and the Rays (+600) are playing the Oakland Athletics.

These athletic days, but oh those…Oakland Nights…https://t.co/7ee61I4qIT#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ejHwBAGnf1

— #VoteMeadows (@RaysBaseball) June 22, 2019

Let’s take a look at the latest AL Pennant odds to see where all 15 teams stand.

2019 American League Pennant Odds

Odds taken 06/22/19.

Tampa faced a tough test earlier this week losing three straight to the Yankees to fall five games back of the Bronx Bombers. They then face the Twins after their set with the Athletics, so it does not get any easier for the Rays heading into next week.

He’s moving on!

Clear your schedules next week…we need to have Austin start this @AllStarGame.#VoteMeadows // https://t.co/xd21pMuMpf pic.twitter.com/gcudh5zYQY

— #VoteMeadows (@RaysBaseball) June 21, 2019

Meadows Struggling Over Last 10 Games

Austin Meadows was a big reason for the Rays great play to start the season but he has struggled at the plate recently with an .083 BA with 16 strikeouts. His batting average dip 38 points to .303 as well.

AL Pitchers seemed to have figured out how to pitch Meadows so that he doesn’t get the fastballs he likes to hit. Meadows struggles against left-handed pitchers too, going 1-12 in recent outings.

On the mound Blake Snell has been such a huge force for the Rays that it is surprising to learn that he is 4-5 with a 3.70 ERA. Snell held hitters to 10-for-114 hit ratio with runners on second or third last year, while 2019 has seen hitters with a .237 average (14-for-59) with runners in scoring position.

Morton Showing the AL he Still Has Good Stuff

Charlie Morton is another strong pitcher on the Rays staff who hasn’t received much run support over the past few games. He is having another strong season with an 8-1 record and a 2.31 ERA and 113 strikeouts.

Morton and Snell give the Rays a great presence on the hill, but with the Yankees getting healthier it may not be enough.

Charlie is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA after we lost the previous game. https://t.co/m70ZQq6Igj #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/saxZ4MViCv

— #VoteMeadows (@RaysBaseball) June 20, 2019

The Best Bet

The Rays are in tough in the AL East and with the Yankees getting healthier could be in trouble. The Red Sox’s record seems to be creeping up above .500 more and more and it’s early enough that they can still make a push for the playoffs. Pick the Yankees to win the AL over the Rays and Red Sox.

Pick: Yankees (+225)