Why the Rays are a Safe MLB Betting Pick vs. Nationals

Interleague play provides a pleasant distraction for MLB betting fans and players, alike, but that doesn’t mean that the wins and losses taken in those match-ups aren’t important. There is always the possibility that teams who meet this week might run into each other again once the World Series comes around. The Washington Nationals have been chosen by many to be the team that represents the NL, and they has the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays to look forward to this week. The final game of their 4-game series is set for Thursday night in Washington.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Washington Nationals Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, June 18, 7:05 PM ET Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC Opening Line: TBA TV: MASN Radio: 106.7 The Fan The Nationals (34-31) are not really blowing away the competition in the manner that people expected coming into this season, and are now currently trailing the Mets in the NL East. It seems to be either feast or famine for the Nats, as they seem to go on extended win streaks followed by bouts of sub-par play. When they do put it all together, they absolutely look like a team that should win the division and come out of the National League without too much effort. The Nationals have really struggled on the road this season, and are in fact a game below .500 heading into the Wednesday night game against the Mets. Jordan Zimmerman in particular has had problems on the road, and has routinely been hit hard when getting the start in opposing stadiums. Doug Fister (2-2, 4.31 ERA) will take to the mound for the Nats on Thursday. The Tampa Bay Rays (36-30) have been one of the surprise teams of the league this season, and their success is all the more astonishing when you look at the number of players they have on the DL. Their pitching staff has been hit particularly hard, yet they still seem to find a way to crank out wins and stay atop the AL East. You have to feel as though those injuries are going to catch up to them at some point, and hope that the 16-4 beating they took at the hands of the Nationals on Tuesday night is just a weird anomaly. That loss aside, the Rays have been getting the job done, and are a solid 6-4 in their last 10 games. Chris Archer (7-4, 2.00 ERA) will start for the Rays on Thursday, and will be looking or his third win in 4 starts. Archer has really helped his team’s cause of late by being able to go deep in the games that he starts. That helps relieve some of the stress on the already stretched thin bullpen. I like Archer and the Rays to get the job done again on Thursday night.