The Tampa Bay Rays (48-33) travel to Kansas City to take on the Royals (35-50) Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. These two teams just met last week in Florida, where they split a four-game set.
After a month-long rough patch, the Rays are beginning to play much better baseball. Tampa Bay enters Tuesday night’s opener on a five-game winning streak after taking the final two games of last week’s series against Kansas City and sweeping Arizona over the weekend. Despite going 9-18 prior to the win streak, the Rays enter Tuesday with the best record in the American League and have an opportunity to keep the momentum rolling against a Royals team with the worst record in the AL.
It hasn’t been the season Kansas City envisioned as the All-Star break approaches, and things don’t appear to be improving after losing four of its last five games entering this series. It also hasn’t helped that the Royals have dealt with a number of injuries to key players throughout the season.
The Rays will once again hand the ball to Griffin Jax, who has transitioned from a career reliever into the rotation. Tuesday marks his 23rd appearance of the season and 12th consecutive start. The Royals are expected to counter with left-hander Noah Cameron, who is set to make his 16th start of the year.
Rays vs. Royals Current Odds
The Rays are the hotter team entering Tuesday, and Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Tampa Bay as a slight road favorite for the series opener in Kansas City:
- Moneyline: Rays -120, Royals +100
- Run Line: Rays -1.5 (+125), Royals +1.5 (-155)
- Total (Runs): Over 9.5 (-120), Under 9.5 (+100)
Rays vs. Royals Predictions
The summer months are heating up, and it’s prime baseball season, so make sure to get in on the action at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. Also, check out the Stats Hub for baseball betting insights and trends, including picks like the one below to help make more informed wagers:
Rays vs. Royals Best Bet: Carter Jensen Over 0.5 Hits
Carter Jensen is one of the young rising stars in MLB and has been scorching hot at the plate. He’ll turn 23 in just a few days and has been enjoying plenty of success leading up to his birthday.
Jensen struggled in May, batting just .198, but he has turned things around in June. The young catcher is batting .292 this month with nine doubles, four home runs, and 19 RBIs while riding an impressive 19-game hitting streak entering Tuesday.
During that streak, Jensen has recorded five multi-hit performances, including a 3-for-5 outing against the White Sox in his most recent game Sunday. He also picked up a hit in each of the four games against the Rays last week, including a two-run home run in the series finale. Jensen also singled, walked, and scored a run against Griffin Jax during that series.
At -275, the odds aren’t as appealing as other props, but sometimes it’s best to ride the hot hand.
- Rays vs. Royals Player Prop Pick for June 30: Carter Jensen Over 0.5 Hits (-275)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for TB-KC
Junior Caminero has homered in four consecutive games, including a three-home-run performance in the series finale against the Royals last week. He finished that series with four home runs and has hit nine long balls in June, making his home run prop the most-bet player prop heading into Tuesday night’s first pitch:
- Junior Caminero – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Yandy DĂaz – To Record 1+ Hits
- Junior Caminero – To Record 1+ Hits
- Carter Jensen – Hits Over 0.5
- Bobby Witt Jr. – To Record 1+ Hits
Rays vs. Royals Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for the series opener in Kansas City:
- The Rays have strong moneyline support with 78.76% of bets and 91.57% of the handle.
- Tampa Bay is also drawing the majority of run line action with 64.26% of bets and 87.07% of the handle.
- The Under is the preferred play on the total, attracting 64.81% of bets and 59.35% of the handle.
Rays vs. Royals Game Info
- đź“Ť Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
- đź“… Date: Tuesday, June 30
- ⏰ First Pitch: 7:40 PM ET
- đź“şđź’» TV/Streaming: MLB.TV
- âšľ Probable Pitchers:
- Rays: Griffin Jax
- Royals: Noah Cameron
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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