Tampa Bay Rays vs San Diego Padres Prediction: Padres to open the series with a win

Tropicana Field will host the MLB encounter between the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres. This will be the opener of a three-game series. Let’s preview this game and make predictions. 

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a series against the Seattle Mariners, which they lost. The Tampa Bay Rays started the series with just one run while conceding 5. With an improved performance in game 2, which saw them win 2-3, this team struggled in the finale, scoring only 2 runs while conceding 6. Heading into this series, the Tampa Bay Rays have failed to win any of their last two series, with the first being against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres last series was against the St Louis Cardinals, and this team could only secure a split win. In the first two matches, the San Diego Padres won 4-7 and 5-7. However, the last two games did not end well for this team as they lost 4-3 and 4-1. Heading into this game, the San Diego Padres record have moved to 76-60, leaving them 5th in the National League. 

Expert Betting Tips

I am on the San Diego Padres in this opener. Looking at the two teams’ level of play, the Tampa Bay Rays seem to have fallen below the radar in recent times, and I do not see them being competitive in this game. Expect this one to be close, though, as the Tampa Bay Rays are at home, but the San Diego Padres will not disappoint.