Cincinnati Reds at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

The Cincinnati Reds (49-53) and Tampa Bay Rays (52-51) open a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 6:50 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Rays won 2-1 last year

The Reds have won back-to-back games after taking down the Atlanta Braves 9-4 Wednesday as +110 road underdogs. Reds 1B Spencer Steer led the offense with 3 RBIs on 3 extra-base hits, and SS Elly De La Cruz also contributed 3 hits, including a solo shot in the 3rd inning.

Tampa Bay got back in the win column with a 13-0 domination over the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday to cash as a +103 road underdog. DH Brandon Lowe hit a solo shot into the upper deck at Rogers Centre in the 1st inning, while RHP Taj Bradley won his 5th consecutive decision, extending his scoreless streak to 23 IP.

Reds at Rays projected starters

LHP Nick Lodolo vs. RHP Shane Baz

Lodolo (8-3, 3.51 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 through 84 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 5-4 loss at Washington Nationals Saturday
• Career vs. Rays: 1-1, 10.24 ERA (9 2/3 IP, 11 ER), 2.38 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 in 2 starts, including 0-1 with 15.43 ERA (4 2/3 IP, 8 ER) in 1 start last year

Baz (0-1, 3.95 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.76 WHIP, 4.61 BB/9 and 7.90 K/9 through 13 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 1 K in 6-4 win at New York Yankees Sunday
• Never faced Reds before

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Reds 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 10:23 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML) : Reds -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rays -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Reds -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-190)
• Over/Under (O/U) : 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Reds at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Reds 5, Rays 4

Moneyline

BET REDS ( -110 ).

The Reds recovered well from being swept by the Nationals out of the All-Star break with a 2-game sweep of the Braves. They have scored 13 runs in their past 2 games combined and 5 or more in 6 of their last 10. Lodolo has allowed 2 ER or fewer in 6 of his last 9 starts and faces Baz, who has allowed 3 ER in 2 of his 3 starts this season.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS .

There is better opportunity on the Reds moneyline.

Over/Under

BET OVER 7.5 ( -105 ).

The Reds have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10 games. They have scored and/or allowed 4 or more runs in each of their last 5 games. Tampa Bay has hit the Over in 5 of its last 6 games and is coming off a 13-run outing Thursday.

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