The Tampa Bay Rays are set to clash with the Oakland Athletics on August 21, 2024, at the Oakland Coliseum, where the first pitch is scheduled for 9:40 pm under clear skies. Ryan Pepiot will lead the pitching for the Rays, entering the game with an ERA of 3.691. His counterpart, Mitch Spence of the Athletics, comes in with a slightly higher ERA of 4.638.

In the 2024 AL East Division standings, the Rays are currently 9th with a record of 63-62, resulting in a .500 winning percentage. Their divisional struggles are highlighted by a 17-23 record, ranking them 4th in the AL East. Recent form shows the Rays have won 5 of their last 10 games and are coming off a single game win, maintaining a balanced home and road record. The team’s run differential stands negative, scoring 484 while allowing 535 runs.

On the other side, the Athletics rank 13th in the AL West with a 54-72 record, reflecting a .430 winning percentage. Their divisional performance mirrors their overall struggles with 16 wins against 20 losses. However, the Athletics show slightly improved form with 6 wins out of their last 10 games, despite a recent loss. Their challenges are evident both at home (31-32) and on the road (23-40), with a concerning run difference with 574 runs conceded against 505 scored.

Regarding betting odds, the game presents intriguing possibilities. The point spread is set at 1.5, favoring the Tampa Bay Rays. The over/under is pegged at 7.5, suggesting expectations for a moderately scoring game. For money line bettors, the Rays are slightly favored with odds of -133, indicating a stronger confidence from bettors compared to the Athletics who stand at +112.