Mariners Slight Favorites Over Rays in Labor Day Matchup
The Seattle Mariners are heading into a pivotal matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, and there’s plenty riding on the outcome. Seattle is sitting just two games out of the top spot in the American League West, while Tampa Bay, though no longer in the playoff race, has every chance to play spoiler. These late-season games can shift playoff hopes quickly, so the pressure is squarely on the Mariners to come through.
The oddsmakers have made Seattle a slight favorite, with the moneyline giving them a small edge at -115 compared to Tampa Bay’s -105. The Mariners also sit at 73 wins on the season, holding a narrow lead in the wild card chase, while the Rays trail with a 67–69 record. For Tampa Bay, this game is less about positioning for October and more about causing trouble for teams that are still in the hunt.
Also Read:- European Postal Services Halt US Shipments Amid Tariff Dispute
- Spurs Seal Deadline Day Loan for PSG Striker Kolo Muani
On the mound, it’s an intriguing matchup of arms. Seattle sends Luis Castillo, a former All-Star, who enters at 8–7 with a 3.75 ERA. Castillo hasn’t been at his absolute best this year—especially in August, when he posted a 6.66 ERA—but the Mariners still hold a winning record in games he’s started. On the other side, Tampa Bay turns to Shane Baz, who has had his share of struggles. His ERA sits at 5.19, and he’s been tagged for 26 home runs in 26 outings this year. Just last month, he gave up seven long balls in five starts, an indication that hitters have been seeing him well as the season drags on.
One of the most intriguing player prop bets centers around Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Even though he’s been in a slump recently—hitting just .119 over the last two weeks—he has still managed to belt three home runs in that stretch. Raleigh has 50 homers on the season, with 30 of them coming against right-handed pitchers like Baz. Given Baz’s tendency to allow the ball to leave the yard, Raleigh is viewed as a strong candidate to break out on Monday night, with odds set at +260 for him to go deep.
While Castillo has had some bumps along the way, Seattle’s need to stay competitive in the playoff picture may be enough to tilt this game in his favor. Baz’s downward trend, combined with Tampa Bay’s mediocre record in his starts, suggests that Seattle has the upper hand. The Rays may be fighting only for pride at this stage, but the Mariners are battling for October, and that urgency often makes the difference.
The pick from most analysts is clear: lean toward the Mariners on the moneyline at -115. With more at stake and a veteran pitcher on the mound, Seattle is being trusted to steady the ship on Labor Day and keep their postseason push alive.
Read More:
0 Comments