The Seattle Mariners host the Tampa Bay Rays today, Sunday July 31st, for the final game of their three game set. The Mariners lead 5-2 SU over the Rays in 2011. MLB oddsmakers have the Rays as -125 moneyline road favourites over the Mariners (+115) with the over/under set at 7 runs. Be sure to get your Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners prediction in now.
Tampa Bay (55-51, 31-26 V) has dropped six of their last ten games and have just three wins in their last nine on the road. The Rays sit third in the AL East 10.5 back from the first place Red Sox, but a 6-10 stretch since the All-Star break has effectively ended any realistic postseason hopes. Tampa Bay had no trouble against Seattle in Friday's opener, winning 8-0, but it managed just one hit in a 3-2 loss Saturday. Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist, who broke up Pineda's no-hit bid Saturday with an RBI single in the sixth inning, is 5 for 14 with two doubles against Mariners pitcher Jason Vargas.
Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.27 ERA) allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in five-plus innings in a 7-5 loss on Monday. He’s aiming to become the first AL rookie to win 10 games tonight. Hellickson was solid in his lone career start against the Mariners on June 4, yielding a run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 3-2 victory.
Seattle (45-61, 24-27 H) has two wins in their last ten games and have split their last two at home. The Mariners are last in the AL West 15 games back. All-Star rookie Michael Pineda struck out a career-high 10 in 6 1/3 innings to help the Mariners win for just the second time in 20 games. Dustin Ackley led the Seattle offense with a two-run homer and a double, and another rookie, Mike Carp, provided the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning. Ackley is 12 for 28 with four doubles and six RBIs in his last seven games.
Jason Vargas (6-9, 4.09) has permitted 18 runs and 25 hits in 13 innings in losing his three starts since the All-Star break after yielding six runs and 22 hits over 32 innings in his previous four outings — including two shutouts. These second-half problems are nothing new. Since 2009, Vargas is 15-13 with a 3.41 ERA in 48 games before the Midsummer Classic, but is 3-14 with a 5.79 ERA in 27 outings after. One of Vargas' best starts this season came against the Rays on June 3, when he threw a four-hitter in a 7-0 victory.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 4-0 in Vargas' last 4 starts vs. Rays.
Rays are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
Rays are 13-3 in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Rays are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150.
Mariners are 3-12 in their last 15 games following a win.
Mariners are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Mariners are 2-9 in their last 11 vs. American League East.
Mariners are 1-5 in their last 6 home games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners
When: Sunday July 31st@4:10 PM ET
Pick: Rays -125
Point-Spreads recommends you check out MLB Odds before the Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners game.
The Bottom Line: The Rays will take this game. Be sure to get your Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners prediction in now.
