- Matchup: Sacramento Athletics vs Tampa Bay Rays
- Scheduled Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
- Broadcast: MLB.TV
- Betting Odds: Sacramento (+150) Tampa Bay (-182)
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In an exciting game at Tropicana Field on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays (91-59) face off against the Sacramento Athletics (61-90). The moneyline shows the Athletics at +150 and the Rays at -182, with the over/under set at 9 runs. Projected starting pitchers are Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen.
The Sacramento Athletics have hit 229 doubles and blasted 183 home runs this season. Their slugging percentage stands at .402, with 1,288 strikeouts compared to 491 walks. Averaging 4.4 runs per game, the Athletics rank 20th in MLB, accumulating 628 RBIs and 1,254 hits, alongside a batting average of .245. They have scored a total of 657 runs and maintain an on-base percentage of .318.
The Athletics’ pitching staff has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.13 with a collective WHIP of 1.50. They have surrendered 226 home runs and a total of 861 runs (29th in MLB). Allowing 1,409 hits (9.5 per 9 innings), Sacramento pitches with a team ERA of 5.40 this season (29th in MLB) and has struck out 1,263 batters. With 593 walks issued, their FIP stands at 4.90 for the season.
Relievers for the Athletics have secured a save rate of 56.9%, facing 151 save situations with 37 successful saves against 28 blown saves. The bullpen has inherited 251 runners this season, with 37.5% crossing home plate. This season, the Athletics have sent 514 relievers to the mound, achieving 83 holds (13th in MLB).
In terms of fielding, Sacramento has recorded 4,008 putouts, 1,154 assists, and 71 errors, holding a fielding percentage of .986, ranking 13th in baseball. They have successfully turned 113 double plays and converted 67.8% of balls hit into play into outs over 12,024 innings, placing them 29th in MLB.
Jeffrey Springs has pitched for 619 innings with 602 career strikeouts, an ERA of 4.14 (285 earned runs allowed), and a WHIP of 1.282. He has given up 582 hits (8.5 hits per nine innings) along with 212 walks, holding a career record of 38-36 and a FIP of 4.08 after facing 2,627 batters.
The Tampa Bay Rays have tallied 162 home runs and 650 RBIs this year. They have also recorded 206 doubles and drawn 475 walks, scoring a total of 684 runs. The Rays boast an on-base percentage of .328 and team batting average of .260, with a slugging percentage of .407, averaging 4.56 runs per game (10th in league). Their strikeouts total 1,041 (30th in MLB) and they have tallied 1,312 hits.
With a WHIP of 1.139, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff displays a FIP of 4.05 this season. Ranked 4th in the league for total hits allowed, they have given up 1,149, 614 runs, and achieved a team ERA of 3.76 (559 earned runs). Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 8.20 (1,216 strikeouts vs. 376 walks), allowing 186 home runs and giving up 4.13 runs per 9 innings (7th in baseball).
Tampa Bay’s save rate is impressive at 74.7%, utilizing 478 relief pitchers this season. The bullpen has appeared in high-leverage situations 153 times and with base runners on 126 occurrences, securing 108 holds along with 19 blown saves. Out of 184 save chances, the Rays have recorded 56 successful saves, with a 33.3% inherited score rate for its bullpen pitchers.
This season, the Tampa Bay Rays have executed 94 double plays, with a fielding percentage of .984 (22nd in MLB). They have recorded 1,185 assists, 87 errors, and achieved a total of 4,017 putouts. Their defensive efficiency of 72.3% ranks 1st in baseball, over 12,051 innings played.
In his MLB career, Drew Rasmussen has allowed 492 hits and notched 588 strikeouts in 620 innings. His 198 earned runs have led to a WHIP of 1.029 and a FIP of 2.8. With a K/BB ratio of 4.03, he has faced 2,465 batters, sporting a 44-22 career record and a 2.87 ERA with 7.1 hits allowed per 9 innings.
Who do you predict will win the MLB game tonight, covering the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Back Sacramento (+150)
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