Rays vs. Reds (July 8): McClanahan looks to join double-digit win club in Cincinnati

After back-to-back series wins over AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays will close out an 11-game road trip this weekend with some Interleague action in Cincinnati.

In tonight’s opener, AL Cy Young favorite Shane McClanahan will take the hill against the Reds, seeking his third win in three starts and his tenth win of the season.

After taking three of five from the Blue Jays in Toronto last week, the Rays started this week’s slate by taking two of three from the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

As a result, Tampa Bay enters this weekend occupying the first AL wild-card spot, with the Red Sox and Blue Jays occupying the other two.

The Reds won’t be in the running for anything other than the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, with only the Oakland Athletics currently owning a lower win percentage.

But tonight’s matchup with McClanahan and the Rays will be an opportunity for highly coveted pitcher Luis Castillo to enhance his trade value.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cincinnati Reds Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays (45-37, 20-20 away, 2nd in the AL East) vs. Cincinnati Reds (29-54, 15-28 home, 5th in the NL Central)
• Venue & Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Date: Friday, July 8, 2022
• Game Time: 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time
• TV Broadcast/Streaming Info: ESPN+

Rays vs. Reds Pitching Matchup

• Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan (2022: 16 starts, 9-3, 1.74 ERA)
• Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo (2022: 11 starts, 3-4, 3.09 ERA)

Rays vs. Reds Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also include odds from other top online sportsbooks that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Tampa Bay Rays -174
• Cincinnati Reds +146

Over/Under

• OVER 8 (-102)
• UNDER 8 (-120)

Run Line

• Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+102)
• Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-122)

All Signs Point to the Under in Cincinnati

At this juncture, it looks like the AL Cy Young Award race might be just a two-horse race between McClanahan and three-time winner Justin Verlander, who is having an outstanding season in his return to action for the Houston Astros.

McClanahan is coming off of consecutive outings in which he went seven innings, allowed just one run, and struck out ten. Against the Pirates on June 26, he allowed just four hits and no walks in a 4-2 win, and against the Blue Jays this past Saturday, he allowed just three hits and a walk in a 6-2 win.

If things go as they have in most of McClanahan’s starts this season, the under is the play to target this evening. There have been eight or fewer runs in 13 of his 16 starts this season, including each of his last five overall and all five of his starts on the road.

Things also line up favorably for the under when you bring Castillo into the mix. There have been eight or fewer runs in seven of his 11 starts this season, and he enters this start after shutting down the Cubs (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 K on June 28) and Braves (7 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 6 K last Sunday) in his last two outings.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Best Bets

Rays vs. Reds Prediction: Rays to win

Rays vs. Reds Best Bets: Rays/Reds under 8 (-118 at BetOnline & BetUS)

Trends actually favor the over here, for what it’s worth. The over is 18-10-0 when the Reds have been a home underdog, and it’s 25-18-0 in their home games this season.

But with two in-form aces on the mound tonight in Cincinnati, the under is the way to go.

Other Rays vs. Reds Content on Betting News

• Rays vs. Reds Picks, Stats & Trends for 7/8