The Philadelphia Phillies (20-15) and Tampa Bay Rays (16-19) play the second game of their 3-game set on Wednesday. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Phillies vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Phillies lead 1-0; Phillies won all 3 meetings in 2024

The Phillies cruised to an 8-4 victory in Tuesday’s series opener as a -147 road favorite, collecting 13 hits. OF Nick Castellanos had a standout game, going 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and 4 RBIs. DH Kyle Schwarber also impressed, finishing 3-for-4 with his 12th HR. SP Zack Wheeler was solid on the mound (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K) and improved to 3-1.

Tampa Bay lost its fifth consecutive game at home. DH Yandy Diaz hit a 2-run home run, his fifth of the season. SP Drew Rasmussen (1-3) took the loss (4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2K 2 HR).

Phillies at Rays projected starters

LHP Cristopher Sanchez vs. RHP Shane Baz

Sanchez (3-1, 3.45 ERA) is making his seventh start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 31 1/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 7-2 home victory against Washington Nationals last WednesdayLast start vs. Rays: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home win Sept. 9, 20242025 road stats: 1-1, 3.24 ERA (8 1/3 IP, 3 ER), 12 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 2 starts

Baz (3-1, 3.86 ERA) is also making his seventh start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 35 innings.

Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 1 K in 8-2 home setback against Kansas City Royals ThursdayOnly start vs. Phillies: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 3-2 home win Sept. 11, 20242025 home stats: 2-1, 4.82 ERA (28 IP, 15 ER), 25 H, 11 BB, 31 K in 5 starts

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Phillies at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:05 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Phillies -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Rays +110 (bet $100 to win $110)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies -1.5 (+135) | Rays +1.5 (-160)Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)Phillies at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction

Phillies 6, Rays 3

PASS.

I love the Phillies (-135) to handle their business once again on Wednesday, which is why I’ll take my wager to the run line.

BET PHILLIES -1.5 (+135).

Philadelphia has won 7 of their last 10 games, including their last 3 on the road, all by 2 runs or more. They’ve also won 6 straight games against the Rays, with 4 of those victories coming by 2 or more runs. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay faces left-hander Sanchez, against whom they’ve struggled, hitting just .189 as a team—second worst in the MLB. Additionally, the Rays have been poor at home, sitting at 9-14 for the season and losing 5 of their last 7 games. With little home-field advantage at Steinbrenner Field, this matchup heavily favors Philadelphia. Don’t overthink it—take the Phillies to win comfortably on Wednesday.

PASS.

The trends point to a balanced matchup, with the Over/Under split 5-5 in their last 10 meetings. Philadelphia’s last 10 games also show a 5-5 split, while Tampa Bay’s last 4 games are 2-2. Both starters have mixed results recently, each recording one Over and one Under in their past couple of starts.

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