by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025
Game Time: 7:35 pm ET, Friday, August 1, 2025
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: MLBN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -149, Rays +123; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -145, Rays +120; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -145, Rays +120; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 63-46 (1st place, NL West)
Tampa Bay Rays: 54-55 (4th place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-5 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 2-8 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this series off a loss and won their 3-game series against the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 63-46 record overall and have a road record of 28-25. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Rays on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .772 OPS. Shohei Ohtani was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Clayton Kershaw is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 4-2 with a 3.62 ERA this season. His team lost their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 2 SO on 6 hits through 4.2 IP against the Boston Red Sox.
The Rays got swept in their 3-game series against the Cincinnati Reds 3-0. They enter this game with a 54-55 record overall and have a home record of 31-28. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Yankees still to be played on Thursday. The Rays won the 1st game of that series on Monday, lost the 2nd game on Tuesday, and lost the 3rd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 14th in the MLB with a .719 OPS. Ryan Pepiot is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Shane Baz is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 8-7 with a 4.61 ERA this season. His team lost their last 5 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5 innings pitched against the Cincinnati Reds.
Dodgers vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 63-46 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL West with one of the best records in the entire MLB. They have also been a good road team this year with their 28-25 road record. Meanwhile, the Rays haven't looked great in their games this season with their 54-55 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the AL East. They have looked better in their own ballpark though with their 31-28 home record this season. They haven't been good lately though as they are 2-8 in their last 10 games and they have had to trade some players away due to their position in the standings now. The Dodgers haven't been hot lately, but they are still the better team with one of the best offenses in the MLB and they have the better pitching matchup that they can take advantage of too. Kershaw is on the mound for the Dodgers in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 4-2 with a 3.62 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs lately. The team has been struggling with him lately, losing 3 games in a row now with him on the mound, and he also gave up 4 earned runs in his last start too, but he will be looking to bounce back with a better start and is due for a win with the way the Rays have played lately. The Rays are going with Baz in this one and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 8-7 with a 4.61 ERA and the team hasn't been finding success with him lately either. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start, but that hasn't been a common theme for him this year, and the team has also lost 5 games in a row now with him starting. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Dodgers Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 1, 2025 (7:35 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 6 Rays 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 25-16 (+5.1 units) on the moneyline against AL East opponents. 241-136 (+6.2 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 84-47 (+12.1 units) on the moneyline in an inter-league game. 25-14 OVER against AL East opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays: 70-92 (-5.2 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 167-158 (-10.1 units) on the moneyline vs. good fielding teams - averaging 0.6 errors/game or less. 115-126 (-12.4 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 23-15 OVER against NL West opponents.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: H. Kim (2B) Ten Day IL - Shoulder. T. Scott (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. M. Kopech (RP) Sixty Day IL - Knee. E. Hernandez (1B) Ten Day IL - Elbow. M. Muncy (3B) Ten Day IL - Knee. R. Sasaki (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. T. Gonsolin (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. E. Phillips (RP) Sixty Day IL - forearm. B. Snell (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. K. Hurt (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. M. Grove (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. R. Ryan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Tampa Bay Rays: H. Kim (SS) Ten Day IL - Back. S. Fairchild (RF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. H. Bigge (RP) Sixty Day IL - Lat. R. Palacios (LF) Sixty Day IL - Knee. M. Rodriguez (RP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. S. McClanahan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Triceps. A. Faedo (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. N. Lavender (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
"In the moment, very concerning, because I didn't know what it was. Even when he went out, he said it was his hip. But when you hear cramping, then I feel much better. And talked to him, and he said it was the humidity. So I feel better knowing that.” - Dave Roberts on the injury to Shohei Ohtani after his team’s loss against the Reds in their game on Wednesday.
"I'm not too encouraged by too much." - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Yankees in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Shohei Ohtani (L) P
Will Smith (R) C
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Andy Pages (R) CF
Michael Conforto (L) LF
Miguel Rojas (R) 2B
Alex Freeland (S) 3B
Tampa Bay Rays
Chandler Simpson (L) LF
Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Josh Lowe (L) RF
Jonny DeLuca (R) CF
Taylor Walls (S) SS
Nick Fortes (R) C
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Alex Freeland (.500)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (113)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (38)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (73)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (13)
Wins: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9)
Saves: Tanner Scott (19)
ERA: Evan Phillips (0.00)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Richie Palacios (.750)
Hits: Yandy Díaz (117)
Home Runs: Junior Caminero (27)
RBI: Junior Caminero (70)
Stolen Bases: José Caballero (34)
Wins: Shane Baz (8)
Saves: Pete Fairbanks (18)
ERA: Connor Seabold (1.35)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (10th season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (11th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
