The Tampa Bay Rays (85-58) and Atlanta Braves (85-59) open a 3-game interleague series Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Rays at Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025 season series: Rays won 2-1
The Braves were held to 2 hits in a 1-0 (Under 8) loss to the Philadelphia Phillies (-190) Monday that split their 4-game series. Philadelphia's SP Jesus Luzardo struck out 12 and walked 1 en route to his first career shutout victory (9 IP, 2 H). DH Kyle Schwarber accounted for the game's lone run, clobbering a ball into the second deck off Atlanta's Didier Fuentes in the eighth for his MLB-leading 43rd HR. Braves SP Grant
Holmes allowed no runs 6 IP (3 H, 2 BB, 6 K). 1B Matt Olson and CF Michael Harris II accounted for the 2 Braves hits.
The Rays were off Monday following an 8-6 (Over 7.5) loss Sunday that completed a split of a 4-game series at the Texas Rangers (+105). Tampa Bay sent 10 batters to the plate in the second and held a 4-1 lead after 2 innings, but, after the Rays added another run in the top of the fourth, Texas stormed back to tie the game with 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers grabbed the lead with a 2-run fifth and held on the rest of the way. Among the standouts for the Rays were DH Yandy Diaz, who went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run, and LF Chandler Simpson, who was 2 for 5 with 2 runs.
Could this be a potential World Series preview? While the Rays have lost 4 of their last 7, they still hold a 4-game lead over the New York Yankees for the best record in the American League. The Braves, who've also lost 4 of their last 7, lead the NL East by 4 games over the Phillies and trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 3 1/2 games for the best record in the National League.
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Rays at Braves projected starters
RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver
Peralta (7-11, 4.96 ERA) makes his 29th start overall and seventh start for the Rays since being acquired from the New York Mets Aug. 2. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 3.31 BB/9 and 8.57 K/9 in 147 innings.
- Last game: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 6-2 victory vs the Mets last Tuesday
- 2026 road splits (13 starts): 3-6, 6.19 ERA (68 1/3 IP, 47 ER), 1.45 WHIP, 79 H, 15 HR, 20 BB, 62 K
- Career vs. Braves (11 games, 10 starts): 6-2, 3.83 ERA (54 IP, 23 ER), 1.32 WHIP, 46 H, 7 HR, 25 BB, 62 K, 10.3 K/9
Smith-Shawver (0-1, 7.13 ERA) makes his fifth start. He has a 1.75 WHIP, 5.60 BB/9 and 7.64 K/9 in 17 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 9-5 loss at the Washington Nationals last Tuesday
- 2026 home splits (1 start): 0-1, 5.40 ERA (5 IP, 3 ER), 1.60 WHIP, 5 H, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 K
- Only start vs. Rays: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K in a 5-4 win at Tampa April 12, 2025
Rays at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Braves -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+165) | Braves +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -102 | U: -118)
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Rays at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Braves 5
Moneyline
BET RAYS -102.
The starting pitching matchup favors the Rays. Smith-Shawver has been unimpressive across his 4 starts. He only has 1 start at home this season, so that could be a factor as he pitched much better at home than on the road last season, with a 1.45 ERA in 3 starts at Truist Park in 2025.
Peralta has been especially strong his his last 2 starts for the Rays. As noted above, he struck out 7 while allowing 1 run on 3 hits in a victory over his former team the last time out. In the game prior to that, he held the Detroit Tigers scoreless over 6 innings, giving up 2 hits, while striking out 4.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
While Tuesday's starting pitcher matchup might favor the Rays, the Braves have the clear advantage in the bullpen. I could see a situation where the Rays jump out early and the Braves claw back, so this could be a close one, but I don't like the vig on the Braves +1.5 (-200).
Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (-102).
Four of the past 5 Rays games have gone over 8.5 runs, while 3 of Smith-Shawver's 4 starts have results that went over this total.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Tampa Bay Rays at Atlanta Braves odds, picks and predictions
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