The Tampa Bay Rays host the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 2, 2025. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EDT; the game will be broadcast on SportsNet LA.
Read our Dodgers vs Rays prediction and MLB pick below.
My Dodgers vs Rays Prediction
- Dodgers vs Rays Picks: Over 8.5 (-120 or better)
My Dodgers vs Rays best bet is on the Over. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Dodgers vs Rays Odds
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +125 | 8.5 -120 / -101 | -136 |
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -150 | 8.5 -120 / -101 | +115 |
Dodgers vs Rays Projected Starting Pitchers
| LHP Blake Snell (LAD) | Stat | RHP Drew Rasmussen (TBR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | W-L | 8-5 |
| 0.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 2.0 |
| 2.00 / 7.99 | ERA /xERA | 2.96 / 3.54 |
| 4.87 / 6.86 | FIP / xFIP | 3.52 / 3.52 |
| 2.00 | WHIP | 1.04 |
| -8.7% | K-BB% | 15.8% |
| 35.3% | GB%ds | 50.4% |
| 91 | Stuff+ | 112 |
| 109 | Location+ | 101 |
Tony Sartori’s Dodgers vs Rays Preview
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
Blake Snell’s 2.00 ERA in his two starts since returning from injury is not indicative of his true performance. He carries a 2.00 WHIP into this matchup, and his underlying metrics are concerning.
Snell possesses a 7.99 expected ERA (xERA), .343 expected batting average (xBA) and 17.4% walk rate. That expected regression is likely to occur against Tampa Bay, a team that shelled him in their last meeting.
In that outing, Snell surrendered seven runs on six hits in just four innings of work.
Following Snell is a fade-worthy bullpen. Entering this matchup, Los Angeles’s relief corps ranks 21st in ERA.
The good news for this pitching staff is that it should receive plenty of run support, as the Dodgers rank in the top three in runs per game, hits per game, slugging percentage and OPS.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Drew Rasmussen has performed well on the mound this year, which is helping keep this total lower than it should be. That said, he has struggled to limit hard contact, a dangerous game to play against Los Angeles.
This season, Rasmussen ranks in the bottom quarter of the league in both average exit velocity and hard-hit rate.
In fact, that line has already been tested by the Dodgers. Through 38 combined plate appearances against Rasmussen, this current Los Angeles lineup boasts a .468 expected slugging percentage (xSLG).
Like Snell, Rasmussen’s job is made easier by the fact that he’s likely to receive an abundance of run support. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 in runs per game, hits per game, batting average and stolen bases.
Dodgers vs Rays Prediction, Betting Analysis
Both lineups rank in the top 10 in runs per game, so offensive production is not a concern when taking the over in this spot. Furthermore, Snell’s analytics are awful, and regression appears imminent.
The primary concern lies with Rasmussen, who has thrown well this season. However, as mentioned above, he plays a dangerous game with the amount of hard contact he allows, especially against a lineup this strong.
Pick: Over 8.5 (-120 or better)
Moneyline
I lean toward Los Angeles, but I don't trust Snell.
Run Line (Spread)
I also like Los Angeles to cover, but I'm staying away for the same reason listed above.
Over/Under
As mentioned, I'm betting Over 8.5.
