MLB · Tue, Jun 16 · 10:10 PM

Rays at Dodgers

O/U 8.5 · RL Dodgers -1.5 · Dodger Stadium

Gary's pick

Rays ML+124

CONF 72%

Result

LLostFinal 0-1

The read

It is a beautiful evening at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium as the Tampa Bay Rays look to level the series against the home-standing Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Dodgers are favored at -146 on the moneyline, the market is overpaying for a fragile number on the mound in Justin Wrobleski. Wrobleski carries a shiny 2.95 ERA, but his 4.19 xERA reveals he has been highly fortunate, and tonight he is starting on short four days' rest with a bruised leg from a recent hamstring contusion. Against a disciplined Tampa Bay offense that ranks near the top of the league in chase rate, a vulnerable fly-ball pitcher (0.64 GO/AO) who surrenders a 42.7% hard-hit rate is in a very dangerous spot.

The Rays' hitters are perfectly suited to exploit Wrobleski's primary offerings. His sinker has been hammered for a .435 batting average this season, which is catastrophic against Tampa Bay's Yandy Díaz (.426 BA vs sinkers) and Junior Caminero (.393 BA vs sinkers). Meanwhile, Drew Rasmussen is throwing at a Cy Young level, coming off 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings with 22 strikeouts over his last two starts. Rasmussen's high-velocity fastball and devastating cutter completely erase right-handed hitters, holding them to a .125 AVG and .357 OPS. This presents an extremely difficult matchup for right-handed Dodgers bats like Mookie Betts and Andy Pages.

The strongest argument for the Dodgers is their dominant 23-12 home record and a far fresher high-leverage bullpen compared to a taxed Tampa Bay relief unit. If the game remains tight late, the Dodgers have a clear advantage with Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia ready. However, Rasmussen’s current elite form should allow him to pitch deep, bypassing the Rays' middle-relief fatigue. With the Dodgers fielding a compromised lineup that includes Chuckie Robinson and his .000 batting average, the Rays' massive starting pitching edge and highly motivated state—trailing the Yankees by only 1.5 games—make them a spectacular value play as road underdogs.

Injuries noted

Dodgers: [KNOWN] Gavin Stone (Starting Pitcher) — Shoulder (Right): Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday that Stone has been unable to ramp up his throwing without feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder, Cody Snavely of DodgersBeat.com reports. (Jun 3 — 13d ago) [KNOWN] Enrique Hernandez (1B) — Oblique (Left): Hernandez is expected to be out for 6-to-8 weeks after sustaining a "significant tear" of his left oblique during Tuesday's 15-6 win over the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. (May 28 — 19d ago) [KNOWN] Ben Casparius (Relief Pitcher) — Shoulder (Right): Casparius (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list Monday. (May 18 — 29d ago) [KNOWN] Landon Knack (Starting Pitcher) — Chest (Not Specified): The Dodgers transferred Knack (chest) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday. (May 8 — 39d ago) [NEW] Tyler Glasnow (SP) — Back (Not Specified): Glasnow (back) has yet to resume throwing, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. (Jun 15 — 1d ago) [NEW] Edwin Diaz (Relief Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): Diaz (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. (Jun 15 — 1d ago) [NEW] Teoscar Hernandez (LF) — Hamstring (Left): Hernandez (hamstring) is expected to ramp up his baseball activities this week, and if all goes well, he could be sent out on a rehab assignment by the weekend, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. (Jun 15 — 1d ago) [KNOWN] Brock Stewart (RP) — Foot (Left): Stewart (foot) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Ontario on Friday. (Jun 12 — 4d ago) [KNOWN] Will Smith (C) — Neck (Not Specified): The Dodgers will place Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. (Jun 11 — 5d ago) [KNOWN] Blake Snell (SP) — Elbow (Left): Snell (elbow) began playing catch Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports. (Jun 5 — 10d ago) Rays: [KNOWN] Gavin Lux (Second Baseman) — Shoulder (Left): Lux (shoulder) is scheduled to take live batting practice against teammate Craig Kimbrel (wrist) on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (Jun 8 — 8d ago) [KNOWN] Jonny DeLuca (RF) — Hamstring (Right): DeLuca (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (Jun 8 — 8d ago) [KNOWN] Jonathan Heasley (RP) — Elbow (Right): Heasley was returned to the major-league roster and placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right elbow stress reaction. (Jun 8 — 8d ago) [KNOWN] Jesse Scholtens (RP) — Wrist (Right): Scholtens was charged with a blown save and dropped to 5-3 on the season in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles in 13 innings after yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits across 1.1 frames. He struck out one batter. (May 27 — 20d ago) [KNOWN] Jake Fraley (RF) — Abdomen (Not Specified): Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Fraley (hernia) will require surgery and will face a recovery timeline of 6-to-8 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (May 18 — 29d ago) [KNOWN] Ryan Pepiot (Starting Pitcher) — Hip (Right): Pepiot will undergo surgery on his right hip May 13 and miss the rest of the 2026 season, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. (May 8 — 39d ago)

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