The Tampa Bay Rays (57-62) and the A’s (53-67) open a 3-game series Monday at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rays vs. A’s odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: A’s lead 2-1

The Rays are in the midst of a 12-game West Coast road trip. It started out OK, as Tampa Bay won 2 of 3 games in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. However, the Rays were swept in 3 games over the weekend against the Seattle Mariners. Tampa Bay was outscored 16-9 in the sweep, as the Over cashed in 2 of the outings.

In Sunday’s 6-3 loss against the Mariners, the Rays fell behind 4-0. However, Tampa Bay closed the deficit to 4-3, and that’s how it stayed heading to the bottom of the seventh inning. However, the bullpen allowed a run in both the seventh and eighth innings. OF Chandler Simpson was 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and run scored from the leadoff spot. SS Ha-Seong Kim went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, a walk and 2 RBIs.

The A’s are returning home after winning 2 of 3 games in both a road series in Washington, and a road series in Baltimore over the weekend. The A’s edged Baltimore 3-2 on Sunday as the Under (9) cashed. They were down 2-1 heading to the ninth inning, but the A’s scored twice in the top of the frame to steal the game in Charm City. C Willie MacIver delivered the 2-run double in the top of the ninth to win it.

The A’s are a respectable 11-5 in the past 16 games, while the Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games, and 13-3-1 in the past 17 outings.

Rays at A’s projected starters

RHP Ryan Pepiot vs. LHP Jeffrey Springs

Pepiot (7-9, 3.77 ERA) makes his 25th start of the season. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 136 innings.

Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 6 K in 7-3 road win Tuesday vs. Angels2025 road stats: 2-5, 4.19 ERA (58 IP, 27 ER), 7 HR, 23 BB, 50 K, 1.24 WHIP in 11 starts2025 vs. A’s (1 start): Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (2 HR), 3 BB, 9 K in 6-5 home win July 2Career vs. A’s: 2-0, 3.06 ERA (17 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 3 HR, 5 BB, 21 K, 0.85 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 3 starts

Springs (10-7, 3.89 ERA) makes his 23rd start and 25th appearance. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 132 innings.

Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 H (solo HR), 0 BB, 5 K in 2-1 road loss vs. Washington Nationals Wednesday2025 home stats: 5-2, 3.99 ERA (58 2/3 IP, 26 ER), 12 HR, 17 BB, 48 K, 1.09 WHIP in 9 starts (10 appearances)2025 vs. Rays (1 start): No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (2 solo HR), 3 BB, 4 K in 4-3 road win in 10 innings July 1Career vs. Rays: 0-1, 3.86 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 6 BB, 12 K, 1.46 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 6 appearances (1 start)

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Rays at A’s odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:39 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rays -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | A’s -115 (bet $115 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+150) | A’s +1.5 (-185)Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)Rays at A’s picks and predictionsPrediction

A’s 5, Rays 3

The A’S (-115) are a solid play behind Springs, the former Rays starter. Tampa Bay is just 14-18 against left-handed starting pitchers, and Springs should pitch with a little extra oomph against his old team, trying to kick them while they’re down.

The A’s have been a pain for a lot of teams lately, and while they’re just 23-34 at home, Springs is 4-1 in his past 7 starts.

If you’re a bit conservative, and you just can’t back the A’s straight up, you could take them +1.5 (-185). That’s a little too expensive for me, however. If you were toss them into a multi-leg parlay, it would be OK to use the A’s, but don’t do it as a standalone bet.

AVOID, and just play the A’s straight up.

UNDER 10 (-115) might be the best play on the board in this series opener.

The Under is 5-3-1 in the past 9 games for the Rays, while going 13-3-1 in the past 17 outings for the A’s. The Under is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings in this series since May 28, 2024, too.

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