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Expert Picks
Night games in San Diego tend to be lower-scoring affairs as is, and I like this matchup to suppress runs on Monday night. Joey Lucchesi has been terrific at home, posting a 2.71 ERA in 12 starts. The Rays have also been better against righties than lefties like Lucchesi. As for the other end of this matchup, Diego Castillo will open for the Rays, and it isn't clear who will follow him. Considering that Ryan Yarbrough went 8 2/3 innings for the Rays on Sunday, I wouldn't be shocked if Tampa throws the whole bullpen at San Diego in this one.
The Rays are hanging on to that last AL wild-card slot and they come off a sweep at Seattle, making it 12 wins in their last 15 games. The Padres are 10-17 since the All-Star break. Tampa Bay's Diego Castillo will be the opener, and then Austin Pruitt will take over for a few innings. The Rays have value as an underdog Monday and they are the play.
Diego Castillo will be opening for the Rays tonight, he has a 3.50 ERA and the Rays are 2-0 when he starts. Joey Lucchesi is 7-6 with a 4.19 ERA this season but he is 6-2 with a 2.71 ERA at home. However, the Rays are 8-2 in their last 10 while winning three in a row, and they seem to play much better on the road. The Padres are 28-31 at home and 9-13 when Lucchesi starts, take the value in the Rays.
The Rays continue to deliver in road environments, with an MLB best 38-22 record. They’re a value underdog based on extended travel that began up the Pacific coast in Seattle. Play Tampa Bay on Monday in its series opener against San Diego.