Braves vs Rays Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for July 9 (Don't Expect Fireworks at Tropicana Field)

The Atlanta Braves (60-28) try to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays (57-35) when they collide for the third time in as many days on Sunday, July 9.

Braves vs Rays Game Info

• Date: Sunday, July 9, 2023
• Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
• Venue: Tropicana Field -- St. Petersburg, Florida
• Coverage: Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Southeast

The Rays' losing streak was extended to seven games in a row with Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Braves. Atlanta catcher Sean Murphy recorded his 17th homer of the season with three RBIs while starting pitcher Spencer Strider shined, striking out 11 Tampa Bay batters without allowing a run over 6 1/3 innings.

Braves vs Rays Odds & Spread

• All MLB betting lines, odds, and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: ATL: (+110) | TB: (-130)
• Spread: ATL: +1.5 (-196) | TB: -1.5 (+162)
• Total: 8.5 -- Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)

The Rays enter this contest as home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 1:40 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 8.5 runs with the Under being favored at -115 odds. 

Braves vs Rays Betting Trends

• Atlanta is 12-1 straight up (SU) in its last 13 games.
• Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last five home games.
• The total has hit the Under in four of Atlanta's last five games.
• The total has hit the Under in five of Tampa Bay's last six home games against Atlanta.

Braves vs Rays Prediction & Pick

The Rays desperately need to break out of their slump if they hope to keep their grasp on the American League's No. 1 spot. Unfortunately, that could be easier said than done. Tampa Bay has been dreadful during its seven-game slide, scoring an average of 2.4 runs per game with a minus-2.9 average run differential.

Meanwhile, the Braves are showing no signs of slowing down. Their .871 winning percentage since June 3 is the best in the MLB. They also lead the Majors in numerous categories during that span, including home runs (74), runs (211), total bases (609) and OPS (.919).

Even though the Rays are better than their skid implies, I don't see them snapping out of it today. Atlanta is the best team in baseball, especially after holding Tampa Bay to one run in each of the first two games of this series.

With Bryce Elder (7-1, 2.45 ERA in 17 starts) taking to the mound, the Braves are in a good spot to extend the Rays' woes.

Final Score Prediction: Braves: 5 | Rays: 2

Braves vs Rays Best Bet

I'm taking the total going under 8.5 runs as the best bet here. For starters, the Under is 4-1 in the last five games for both teams. The Under has also been hit in five of the last six Braves-Rays matchups at Tropicana Field, which have averaged 7.7 runs per game.

With the total also going under 8.5 runs in each of Elder's last three starts and in six of Zach Eflin's previous seven, don't expect a ton of offense today.

Bet: Under 8.5 Total Runs (-115)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.