Dodgers vs Rays Predictions, Picks, Odds: Lineups Start Weekend on Right Foot

The Rays are still rolling with three wins in their last four games, and have now gone 24-5 at home on the year. The Dodgers — standing at 14-13 on the road — are a tough challenge on paper, but might there be a way in here with a struggling righty pitching for the visitors?

Let’s break down Dodgers vs. Rays in our MLB picks and predictions for May 26.

Dodgers vs Rays odds

Dodgers vs Rays predictions

Both of these offenses are red-hot at the moment. The Dodgers own a 120 wRC+ over the last week of play, which puts them in a tie for fifth in baseball with none other than the Rays.

That’s right — both teams have been tearing the cover off the ball, combining for 18 home runs. L.A. has been a bit worse in the strikeout and walk departments, but its .196 ISO rivals Tampa’s .198 ISO, and this team is hitting a blistering .271.

I think the Rays have a bit of an edge offensively, but I’m not completely sold on Jalen Beeks to do the job for Tampa. 

First off, the Dodgers own a respectable 102 wRC+ against lefties despite years of fleeting results in that split with a low .227 BABIP, which indicates some slight misfortunes. Aside from that, Beeks is striking out far fewer batters this year, and walking 11.3% of them. His contact profile is solid, but the Dodgers are a powerhouse and a team which knows how to walk.

With a shaky pitcher on the hill for L.A. in Noah Syndergaard (whom we’ll talk about more later), I’m taking the Over.

My best bet: Over 9 (-120 at DraftKings)

Dodgers vs Rays moneyline analysis

I don’t want to play a side here because I have serious trust issues with each pitcher, but if I had to take one, it’d be the home team here.

The Rays should be pricier to back in this situation. They’re arguably the stronger offense entering play on Friday, and while the Dodgers are hitting .271, their BABIP would strongly indicate that they’re significantly overperforming of late. Their strikeout and walk numbers aren’t becoming of a good offense.

It’s pretty evident that Syndergaard is a bad pitcher as well. He’s trying his hand as a sinker-baller this year but hasn’t induced ground balls at even a league-average rate. His hard-hit rate is worse than the average, and he’s already surrendered six home runs. He can’t be trusted.

Dodgers vs Rays Over/Under analysis

As I touched on above, Syndergaard is the biggest reason I love the Over here. The Rays are Top 5 in most baserunning categories, and with the way they’re hitting right now, they should find themselves on base plenty against Syndergaard.

The right-hander has primarily thrown a sinker to try and pitch to contact, which is why his strikeout rate is a very low 16.9%. With that said, Syndergaard has come up with a very poor 41.3% ground ball rate, which is 3.5 points worse than the average.

The whole point of pitching to contact with the sinker is to get ground balls, and Syndergaard has done the complete opposite. His numbers are fitting, and at this point in time he’s nothing more than a firmly below-average back-end starter.

Dodgers vs Rays game info

Starting pitchers

Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 5.88 ERA): The right-hander has struggled mightily this season and has now allowed five earned runs in his last two starts, spanning nine innings. He posted a 6.32 ERA in April, and now owns a 4.50 ERA here in May.

Jalen Beeks (1-2, 4.68 ERA): The left-hander has been primarily pitching out of the bullpen and as an opener. He will give the Rays no more than three innings here. With that said, though, his numbers have been spectacular, and he should have Tampa off to a great start.

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The Over is 4-0 in Syndergaard’s last four starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Rays

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