Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cincinnati Reds April 17 Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays (14-2) and Cincinnati Reds (6-9) begin a three-game series on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

After beginning their season with a 13-game winning streak, Tampa Bay lost two of three against the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. Cincinnati split a four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies.

First pitch for Monday's game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Let's take a look at the starting pitchers.

Starting Pitchers

Jalen Beeks (TB) - The Rays like to win the opener, and Beeks gets the nod on Monday against the Reds. He has one start and four appearances this season with five hits and two earned runs in six innings pitched. He last pitched in relief against the Red Sox on April 12.

Hunter Greene (CIN) - Greene will look to get on track on Monday as he takes to the mound against the Rays. The former second overall pick has a 5.14 ERA in three starts this season. He has allowed 17 hits and eight earned runs in 14 innings pitched.

Rays Betting Preview

Tampa Bay has been setting records through the first two weeks of the MLB season. They started the year 13-0, matching the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers and 1982 Atlanta Braves for the best start to a year since the St. Louis Maroons began the year 20-0 in 1884.

Even after losing their three-game series against the Blue Jays, Tampa Bay still ranks first in runs per game (7.1), runs allowed per game (2.6), slugging percentage (.541), OPS (.897), ERA (2.54), and home runs (36).

Eight Rays players have at least three home runs this season, which is an absurd stat just 16 games into the season. By comparison, only one player on the Reds has three home runs this season. Wander Franco has a team-leading 21 hits, including eight doubles and four home runs. 

Reds Betting Preview

Cincinnati is 5-4 at home this season but 3-7 in its last ten games after a 3-2 start to the season. The team averages 4.9 runs scored and 5.3 runs allowed per game. It has a .253 team batting average and a 5.21 team ERA.

The Reds' offense has been average, but its pitching has been a major area of concern. Cincinnati ranks 25th in team ERA and 28th in WHIP. They've been a little unlucky, however, as they have the league's worst batting average on balls in play at .284. 

Rays vs. Reds Betting Odds and Prediction

Tampa Bay is a -145 ML favorite with a -1.5 (+120) run line. The Reds are a +125 ML underdog with a +1.5 (-140) runline. 

The Rays haven't really been challenged much this season. Cincinnati isn't expected to be a contender this season by any means, but they should be able to get to the Rays' pitching, and Tampa is due for a regression. The Reds are also 10-5 ATS this season, making the +1.5 (-140) run line at least an attractive betting option.