Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves Prediction & Betting Tips - MLB

Prediction published on 07/07/2023, 00:35  by Joseph King | Modified on 08/07/2023 at 00:39 in MLB Predictions

The two best records in the MLB face off with the AL leading Tampa Bay Rays hosting the NL leading Atlanta Braves. This is the second game of a three game series between these two ball clubs with the Braves taking game one by a score of 2-1. The Rays will look to put an end to their tailspin as they have now dropped their last six games on the bounce. The losing run now has the Rays leading the second-place Baltimore Orioles by just 3.5 games in the highly-competitive AL East. Tampa Bay, who have been dominant at the Trop this season, are currently on a four game losing streak on home soil after being swept by the Phillies and losing the first clash against Atlanta. Taj Bradley gets the nod for the hosts and is sporting a 5-4 record on the year with a 5.27 ERA. The rookie pitcher is coming off a difficult last two starts where he has allowed 13 earned runs and five home runs in only seven and one thirds innings of work.

Atlanta will be looking to continue their fantastic run of form that has seen them rip off nine wins in their last 10 outings. Their red-hot streak has seen the Braves separate themselves from the pack and have now built up a 9.5 game lead over the second-place Marlins in the NL East. Atlanta has the best record in Major League Baseball with 59 victories from 87 games giving them a .678 winning percentage. The Braves have really clamped down defensively on their opponents over the past week, allowing only 20 runs against in their past 10 games. Atlanta will send Spencer Strider to the mound who is 10-2 on the year with a 3.66 ERA. The 24-year-old pitched six and two-thirds innings in his most recent outing, giving up only two runs and striking out nine in a 6-3 Braves win.