Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Tampa Bay Rays 6/12/23

The Tampa Bay Rays (48-20) take one of the most productive lineups in MLB on the road to face the Oakland Athletics (17-50) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Monday to open a four-game series.

The Rays are embarking on a seven-game road trip after wrapping up a productive six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Rangers, taking the finale 7-3 on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Harold Ramirez was 3 for 3 with one RBI.

Wander Franco added a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. The Athletics are playing the first of seven games at home after finishing up a nine-game road trip (5-4).

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Brewers, taking the finale 8-6 on Sunday at American Family Field for their fifth straight win. Ryan Noda went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Rays have won all three games this season between the teams, including an 11-0 victory in their most recent meeting on April 9 at Tropicana Field. Starter Drew Rasmussen threw seven scoreless innings – striking out eight – for the win.

ON THE MOUND

Zach Eflin (8-1, 2.97 ERA) is slated to get the start for Tampa Bay. The RHP is tied for third in the AL in wins. Eflin threw 6.2 scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-0 road win over the Twins on Tuesday. He got the win, yielding three hits while striking out nine and walking one.

Eflin has made one previous start against the Athletics this season, a 9-5 home victory on April 7. He surrendered three runs on nine hits over six innings, striking out seven.

Righty James Kaprielian (1-6, 7.21 ERA) gets the ball for Oakland. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, giving up seven runs over 4.2 innings in an 11-0 road defeat on April 9.

He gave up seven hits and walked three while striking out six in the loss. In his last start on Tuesday, Kaprielian got the win on the road against the Pirates.

He threw six innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on four hits, striking out one and walking five in the 11-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Tampa Bay offense is averaging 5.8 runs per game for the season, second best in MLB, with a slash line of .262/.338/.474. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (.952). The third baseman is slashing .309/.403/.549 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 43 runs over 55 games.

Against righties like Kaprielian this season, the Rays have a .793 OPS, the highest in the league. Diaz also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .981 OPS in 163 at-bats.

Oakland is slashing .224/.306/.357 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, second lowest in the league. Brent Rooker leads the team with a .864 OPS.

The left fielder has 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 29 runs scored with a slash line of .262/.362/.503. Oakland is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.290/.390/.494).

The A’s have a .650 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the second lowest in the league. With a .864 OPS over 155 at-bats, Noda has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 17-13 in 2023. The Rays have scored 5.6 runs per game away from home while allowing 3.9 runs.

Oakland has gone 7-24 at their home park this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.3. Tampa Bay is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with an average scoreline of 4.7-2.9.