July 2, 2026, 4:53 a.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Rays (50-33) and Kansas City Royals (35-52) play the finale of their 3-game series Thursday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Rays vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 4-2
After winning the opener 10-4 Tuesday, the Rays won the second game 4-0 Wednesday as -146 favorites with the Under (10.5) cashing. 3B Junior Caminero and CF Cedric Mullins each hit a 2-run HR to back SP Shane MaClanahan (6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K). The AL East leaders will aim for the sweep Thursday, as well as its eighth consecutive win.
RF Jac Caglianone had 2 of the Royals’ 6 hits Wednesday. SP Seth Lugo surrendered 3 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings. Kansas City has lost 6 of its last 7 games, and own the second-worst record in the majors.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Rays at Royals projected starters
LHP Ian Seymour vs. RHP Stephen Kolek
Seymour (4-1, 4.32 ERA) makes his fourth start and 31st appearance. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 50 innings.
As starter: 0-1, 4.09 ERA (11 IP, 5 ER), 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 3 startsLast start: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 7 K in a 13-2 home victory vs. Royals June 252026 on road: 2-0, 7.41 ERA, (17 IP, 14 ER), 20 H, 11 BB, 21 K in 13 games (0 starts)
Kolek (4-2, 4.15 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 in 52 innings.
Last start: Loss, 1 2/3 IP, 9 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 0 K in a 12-10 home loss vs. St. Louis Cardinals June 21First career start vs. Rays2026 at home: 3-1, 4.03 ERA, (29 IP, 13 ER), 30 H, 4 BB, 12 K in 5 startsRays at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:46 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Rays -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Royals +105 (bet $105 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-155)Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rays at Royals picks and predictionsPrediction
Rays 5, Royals 2
PASS.
I like the Rays (-125) to win comfortably, so I suggest betting them on the run line.
BET RAYS (+125).
Seymour has performed admirably since transitioning into a starter, and dominated the Royals in his last outing. Kansas City has scored 3 or less runs in 6 of its last 9 games. Kolek is coming off a disastrous start, and is facing a hot Tampa offense that has scored 52 runs over its last 8 games.
BET UNDER 10.5 (-110).
Seymour should keep his momentum rolling, and Kolek, despite his last outing Kolek, has been solid overall this season. The Rays have hit the Under in 4 of their last 5 games. The Royals are 7-3 in favor of the Over in their last 10 games, but that is mostly due to their opponents piling up runs on them.
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