Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay Rays: Can the Rays build a winning streak?

The Tampa Bay Rays are hoping for a second win in the series against the Seattle Mariners tonight at Tropicana Field.

The mariners are continuing their East Coast road trip

The Seattle Mariners are on top of the AL West with a 45-36 record, including 18-24 on the road. They have lost 5 of their last 6 games and this is their third consecutive series on the road. The Mariners have a 3.52 ERA, a .216 batting average, a .275 on-base percentage, and 1.07 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Julio Rodriguez leads the team with 81 hits and 36 runs while Cal Raleigh is on top with 13 home runs.

The Rays are in great form lately

The Tampa Bay Rays are fourth the AL East with a 39-40 record and 20-23 at home. They have won 5 of the last 6 games. Tampa Bay has a 4.36 ERA, a .245 batting average, a .310 on-base percentage, and 1.27 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Yandy Diaz leads the team with 86 hits, Jose Caballero is on top with 33 runs, and Isaac Paredes has 11 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Rays are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games overall, 6-1 SU in the last 7 home games against Seattle, and 7-13 SU in their last 20 games against teams from the AL. Tampa Bay has played under the total run line in 4 of their last 6 games overall, 4 of their last 5 home games, and 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the AL West. The Mariners are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games overall and 6-12 SU in their last 18 games playing against teams from the AL East. Seattle has played over the total run line in 5 of their last 7 games overall, 8 of the last 10 games on the road, and 4 of the last 6 games against teams from the AL.

Prediction and Conclusion

These two teams are only six wins away, but that makes a complete difference in their division standings and in their playoff chances. The Rays won the opener last night by 4-3, turning the game around with a three-run eighth inning. That was a fourth consecutive win for the Rays against the Mariners. Seattle will try to end that with Luis Castillo on the mound, who is 6-8 for the season with a 3.63 ERA, 96K, 94.1 IP, and 1.19 WHIP. The Rays will start Zack Littell, who is 2-5 for the season with a 4.20 ERA, 76 K, 81.1 IP, and 1.38 WHIP. None of the pitchers will make a huge difference, but the Mariners have the better overall roster and will bounce back after dropping the game last night.