The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers get right back in action on the heels of a thrilling opener to play Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night in Milwaukee.
Clutch pitching by Jacob Misiorowski and a bend-but-don't-break bullpen gave the Brewers a 3-2 win on Friday and a 1-0 series lead.
Milwaukee scored two runs in the first inning and never trailed, although Tampa Bay made it interesting time after time in the later innings before failing to plate a tying run.
The visitors will try to bounce back in Game 2 and level the Fall Classic before it heads south on Monday.
With Saturday’s contest set for 8:00 pm ET on FOX, it’s time to break down the matchup and discuss the best bets to make.
Rays vs. Brewers Game 2 betting picks and predictions
Tampa Bay Rays ML (+101)
The Rays seemingly have just the right person on the mound to rebound and send the series to Tampa tied 1-1.
They are handing the ball to Drew Rasmussen, who is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA during this playoff run. That is nothing new for the right-hander, who compiled a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA and 0.91 WHIP during the regular season.
Rasmussen has already proven that he can handle this Milwaukee lineup, too, allowing only one run and striking out eight batters through 5.0 innings in his second start of the regular season on April 1.
Milwaukee is countering with Logan Henderson, who is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two postseason starts. The 24-year-old righty has impressed in the early stages of his professional career, but inexperience could be a factor – especially on this kind of stage.
After all, Henderson has made just 25 appearances at the major-league level (20 this season after five last year).
Rasmussen generally does not require much run support, and he should get enough of it on Saturday.
Over 6.5 (-112)
The Rays are averaging 3.7 runs per game with a .638 OPS this postseason, compared to the Brewers’ 4.1 runs per game and .737 OPS. Those are solid offensive metrics, especially in the playoffs – when pitching often rules the roost.
Henderson is no slouch, but he isn’t Misiorowski. Even against the Miz and an amazing Milwaukee bullpen, Tampa Bay still crossed the plate twice and had a whole host of opportunities to score more but hurt itself with several costly baserunning blunders.
The two clubs combined for 15 hits on Friday, so it’s not as if the offenses were inept despite a meager five runs being scored. All things considered, the over looks like the way to go.
Drew Rasmussen 6+ strikeouts (-167)
It is true that managers are willing to work their bullpens into the ground in the playoffs, and a day off tomorrow cannot be discounted.
Still, Tampa Bay boss Kevin Cash used four different relievers for 4.0 innings last night after Nick Martinez logged a modest 5.0 innings as the Rays’ starter. Cash probably won’t be inclined to give Rasmussen a quick hook in Game 2.
Assuming the 31-year-old goes at least 6.0 innings, reaching the six-strikeout mark should not be asking too much. He has recorded at least six Ks in four consecutive outings dating back to the regular season, including double-digits on two occasions during this stretch.
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Rays vs. Brewers odds
Tampa Bay Rays | +101 ML |
Milwaukee Brewers | -121 ML |
Run Line | TB Rays -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Rays vs. Brewers odds
Home run odds
Junior Caminero (TB Rays) | +450 |
Victor Mesa Jr. (TB Rays) | +525 |
Jackson Chourio (MIL Brewers) | +575 |
Jake Bauers (MIL Brewers) | +600 |
Jonathan Aranda (TB Rays) | +600 |
William Contreras (MIL Brewers) | +650 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
