Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays vs Washington Nationals
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: MASN
Betting Odds: Tampa Bay (-152), Washington (+126)
On Sunday, the Washington Nationals (53-80) will host the Tampa Bay Rays (64-69) at Nationals Park. The betting odds favor Tampa Bay at -152, while Washington enters the game at +126. The total runs over/under is set at 8.5, with Ian Seymour and Brad Lord expected to take the mound.
This season, the Tampa Bay Rays are averaging 4.5 runs per game, ranking them 13th in Major League Baseball. They have notched 596 total runs, along with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .314. The Rays have recorded 202 doubles and hit 149 home runs. With 1,129 hits this year, they also boast a batting average of .251. Their slugging percentage stands at .401, with 1,138 strikeouts and 386 walks drawn.
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The Rays’ pitching staff currently has an earned run average (ERA) of 3.96, placing them 16th in the league. They have struck out 1,142 batters but allowed 177 home runs, surrendering a total of 558 runs (10th in the league). Their combined fielding independent pitching (FIP) stands at 4.24. They have given up 1,047 hits (8.0 per 9 innings) and 518 earned runs, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.02 and a WHIP of 1.21.
This season, a total of 418 relief pitchers have come into play, inheriting 135 baserunners, with 32.6% scoring. The bullpen has achieved 28 saves but failed in 22 of 50 opportunities, resulting in a save percentage of 56.0% from 124 situations. The relief unit has also amassed 73 holds, ranking them 16th in the league, and entered in high-pressure scenarios on 124 occasions.
The Rays have recorded 3,532 putouts, 1,178 assists, and 62 errors, maintaining a fielding percentage of .987 (11th in MLB) along with 122 double plays. They convert 71.0% of batted balls into outs across 10,596 innings, placing them 5th overall.
Seymour, who holds a 2-0 record in his brief career, boasts a FIP of 3.15. Over 28 innings pitched, he has faced 114 hitters, allowing 20 hits (6.4 hits per nine innings) and issuing 9 walks. His ERA stands at 3.20, with a WHIP of 1.032 and 34 strikeouts to date.
For the Nationals, this season they maintain an OBP of .309 and a batting average of .243. With 1,062 strikeouts (24th in MLB) and 1,084 hits, Washington has belted 126 home runs and registered 543 RBIs. They have a slugging percentage of .387, averaging 4.25 runs per game (21st in MLB) with 219 doubles and 382 walks.
The Nationals have allowed 736 runs so far, compiling a team ERA of 5.38 (697 earned runs allowed) and surrendering 174 home runs (5.69 runs per 9 innings, ranked 29th). Their WHIP is currently at 1.451 with a team FIP of 4.69. The staff’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is 7.80, having struck out 1,014 batters while giving up 456 walks, while allowing 1,234 total hits, ranking them last.
In save situations, Nationals’ bullpen pitchers have been called upon 41 times, successfully saving 26 for a save percentage of 63.4% (14th in MLB), using 469 relief pitchers over the season. They have engaged in 132 innings with inherited runners and found 39.7% of them scoring. With 97 save opportunities, they have recorded 55 holds alongside 15 blown saves.
Washington has demonstrated a defensive efficiency of 67.9% (29th in professional baseball) over 10,488 innings. They have reached 103 double plays and maintained a fielding percentage of .985 (20th in the league) with 1,129 assists, 71 errors, and 3,496 putouts.
Lord, with a career record of 4-7, has given up 97 hits in 100 innings, achieving 82 strikeouts. He has an ERA of 3.86, allowing 8.7 hits per nine innings and has conceded 43 earned runs. His WHIP is 1.297, with a FIP of 3.8, and he has faced 420 hitters in the majors.
Will the Nationals prevail in tonight’s matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Guy Bruhn’s Prediction: Back Washington (+126)
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