The Tampa Bay Rays host the Baltimore Orioles on July 18, 2025. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on MASN2.
Find my MLB betting preview and Orioles vs Rays prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports, and more.
My Orioles vs Rays Prediction
- Orioles vs Rays picks: Under 9 (-110 | Play to -120, BetMGM)
My Orioles vs Rays best bet is on the under. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Orioles vs Rays Odds
| Orioles Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +165 | 9 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -200 | 9 -110o / -110u | -125 |
Orioles vs Rays Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Charlie Morton (BAL) | Stat | RHP Taj Bradley (TB) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-7 | W-L | 5-6 |
| 0.6 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.4 |
| 5.18 / 4.19 | ERA / xERA | 4.60 / 3.60 |
| 4.34 / 4.16 | FIP / xFIP | 4.14 / 4.16 |
| 1.52 | WHIP | 1.27 |
| 13.1 | K-BB% | 11.2 |
| 41.9 | GB% | 48 |
| 101 | Stuff+ | 99 |
| 96 | Location+ | 91 |
Doug Ziefel’s Orioles vs Rays Preview
Baltimore Orioles Betting Preview: Morton Turning Back the Clock
While the Baltimore Orioles did close out the first half of the season by winning six of their last 10 games, their season thus far has to be viewed as a disappointment.
Last place in the AL East and 11 1/2 games out has turned this July into a showcase for pieces that may be moved by the end of the month.
The majority of those valuable trade deadline assets will be on the mound, and those guys are the key to our angle for this matchup.
41-year-old Charlie Morton will get the ball here, and he turned back the clock after a rough opening month of the season.
Uncle Charlie has posted a 2.63 ERA over his last seven starts, as his strikeouts are up and his walks are down. Those results prove he still has high-quality stuff, even at this point in his career.
This outing will be a unique test. The Rays have been great against righties, and the weather is prime for hitting, but if Morton can produce whiffs, the opportunities for the ball to leave the park will be minimal.
Behind him, the Orioles' bullpen has been excellent, ranking eighth in SIERA. Many of the excellent arms in the pen may be dealt, and holding the Rays quiet on the road in this matchup will be a testament to their values.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview: Bradley and the Bullpen Are Key
As for the Rays, the All-Star break was much needed. They ended the first half on a 2-8 skid. That cold stretch dropped them to 5 1/2 games back in the AL East, but they're still well within contention.
If they're going to start the second half on the right foot, they're going to need to lean on their pitching staff, and it begins with Taj Bradley tonight.
Bradley enters this outing with multiple indicators of positive regression, as his xERA of 3.60 is far lower than his season ERA. He's done an excellent job of limiting hard contact and generating ground balls. Those two things are crucial for pitching at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Much like the Orioles, the Rays' bullpen should be a big factor in this matchup, given the ample rest. Tampa Bay's relief unit has been better than Baltimore's, ranking fourth in SIERA and fifth in xFIP.
Orioles vs Rays Prediction, Betting Analysis
The market has come in and supported Baltimore on the moneyline in this matchup. But with the Rays' bullpen at full strength and Bradley profiling for success, I don't feel confident in picking a side.
However, the quality of the bullpens have made the under a great angle, as there shouldn't be much scoring in the final five innings of this matchup.
Additionally, the weather may help the starters. There's a chance of light rain falling for the first few hours of the night.
Take the under.
Pick: Under 9
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I'm not interested in the run line.
Over/Under
Take the under in tonight's Orioles vs. Rays matchup.
