Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Ryan Pepiot, Rays Shut Down A's Early?
The Tampa Bay Rays are set to host the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday evening as they look for a big home win. Can Ryan Pepiot get his swagger back with a strong outing at home to shut down the A's? Krabs provides his prediction and pick for Athletics vs. Rays.
Krabs - May 29, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT
5 minOakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Ryan Pepiot, Rays Shut Down A's Early?
The Rays are hurting after losing two of their best starting pitchers to injury or a trade in the offseason. They are currently three games under .500, and have lost four of their last five games in the midst of a slump. With Ryan Pepiot on the bump for Tampa Bay, will he shut down the A’s after an embarrassing 3-0 loss yesterday?
Athletics vs. Rays DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: May 29, 2024
- Start Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
After watching the Athletics and Rays offenses struggle over the last week or so, I’m not expecting an offensive outburst in this game tonight. Ryan Pepiot is coming off back-to-back poor outings, but a start against the A’s at home could be exactly what the 26-year-old right-hander needs. Oakland hasn’t scored more than three runs in nearly a week; their bats have cooled off immensely after a solid start to the season…
As I stated earlier, Ryan Pepiot hasn’t looked sharp in his last couple of outings. He’s given up 3+ runs in each of his last two starts in only six innings of work combined. This isn’t a comforting sign for Pepiot or the Rays, but I’m banking on a bounce-back performance against one of the worst offenses in baseball. After the Rays lost 3-0 yesterday, I don’t see them dropping two games in a row. Unfortunately for them, they don’t have the best matchup offensively on Wednesday, either…
Joey Estes doesn’t have the best stats this season, but the young right-hander does have good strikeout stuff. In only 15 innings of work, Estes has racked up 15 strikeouts. The Rays have struggled with contact this season… if Estes has his stuff on Wednesday, the Rays’ offense could be in for another long night…
Besides Mason Miller, the Athletics bullpen isn’t anything to write home about. Even the Rays bullpen has shockingly taken a step back this season. I want nothing to do with either team’s bullpen in this matchup. Instead, let’s isolate the F5 innings of this contest and back both starting pitchers to exceed expectations.
The full-game total has dropped from the 8.5 opener to 8 on most books with juiced odds now on the under. Let’s eliminate any potential late-inning slip-ups from either bullpen, and fade both offenses in the first half of this matchup tonight. I’ll meet you at the cash counter after Pepiot and Estes throw dueling gems on Wednesday night.
Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
Pick: OAK/TB F5 u4.5 (-125) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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