Royals vs Ray NBA Summer League 15 July 2023 Preview, Prediction, Players to watch, Rosters and More
by Aishwarya R
Updated Jul 14, 2023
Royals vs Ray NBA Summer League
After a balanced two-game series with the Baltimore Orioles, in which each team secured a victory, the Tampa Bay Rays, currently boasting an impressive record of 52 wins and 25 losses, are entering their upcoming four-game series against the struggling Kansas City Royals as overwhelming favorites. The Rays are heavily favored with odds of -332 to emerge victorious in Game 1.
The exciting matchup will take place at Tropicana Field, with the first pitch scheduled for Thursday at 6:40 PM Eastern Time. Fans can catch the game live on MLB Network. For the opening game of this series, the Tampa Bay Rays will be sending their talented left-handed pitcher, Shane McClanahan, to the mound. McClanahan has been a key contributor to the Rays' success this season, demonstrating skill and consistency on the pitching mound.
He will be tasked with stifling the Kansas City Royals' offense and providing a strong foundation for his team to secure a victory. On the other side, the Kansas City Royals will be relying on Jose Cuas to start the game as their pitcher. Cuas will face a formidable challenge going up against the powerful lineup of the Rays. The Royals, who currently possess a struggling record of 20 wins and 54 losses, will be hoping for a standout performance from Cuas to spark a potential upset against the favored Rays.
As the series commences, both teams will be looking to build momentum and gain an early advantage. The Tampa Bay Rays, aiming to maintain their impressive record, will seek to capitalize on their home field advantage at Tropicana Field. Conversely, the Kansas City Royals, in search of a turnaround, will be eager to defy the odds and secure a victory against the dominant Rays.
Baseball enthusiasts and fans of both teams can anticipate an exciting clash between the Rays and the Royals. With the talents of McClanahan and Cuas showcased on the mound, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will unfold on Thursday evening.
Royals vs Ray NBA Summer League Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays, currently holding an impressive record of 52 wins and 25 losses, are heavily favored to emerge victorious in their upcoming game against the struggling Kansas City Royals. The odds heavily favor the Rays with a line of -332, indicating a high level of confidence in their ability to secure a win. On the other hand, the Royals face longer odds at +265, suggesting that a victory for them would be considered an upset.
In addition to the odds, the spread for the game is set at Rays -1.5, meaning that for bettors to win on the Rays, they would need to win by at least two runs. As for the total runs expected in the game, the over/under is set at 7.5 runs, giving fans and bettors an estimation of the offensive output anticipated for this matchup.
For those looking to make wagers on the game, promotional codes for the Rays vs. Royals matchup may be available, offering special discounts or bonuses for betting purposes. These codes can enhance the overall betting experience for fans who choose to participate.
The game is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, with a start time of 6:40 PM Eastern Time. Baseball enthusiasts can tune in to watch the game live on MLB Network, allowing them to witness the action unfold in real time.
With the Rays aiming to maintain their strong record and the Royals looking for an opportunity to turn their season around, this game presents an intriguing matchup. Both teams will be motivated to perform at their best, with the Rays seeking to capitalize on their favored status and the Royals aiming to defy the odds and secure a notable victory.
As fans prepare for the game, they can anticipate an exciting evening of baseball. The odds, spread, and total runs provide a framework for understanding the expectations surrounding this matchup, while the presence of promotional codes adds an additional layer of excitement for those who choose to engage in betting activities. The Rays vs. Royals game promises to be a captivating contest for both dedicated fans and enthusiastic bettors alike.
Royals vs Ray NBA Summer League Prediction
When the Tampa Bay Rays have been favored on the moneyline this season, they have been incredibly successful, boasting a remarkable record of 47 wins and 19 losses in those games. This equates to a winning percentage of 71.2%, highlighting their ability to perform well when expected to win. However, it's important to note that the Rays have not encountered a game this season with moneyline odds as short as -332 or lower, making this upcoming game against the Kansas City Royals a unique situation for them.
On the other side, the Kansas City Royals have found success in games where they have been considered underdogs on the moneyline. Out of the 60 games in which they've been labeled as underdogs, they have managed to emerge victorious in 17, translating to a win rate of 28.3%. It's worth noting that the Royals have not faced such significant underdog odds on the moneyline as the +265 odds for this particular game against the Rays, making it a considerable challenge for them.
Turning to the over/under totals, the Tampa Bay Rays have played 77 games this season in which bookmakers have set a specific total for combined runs. Out of those games, they have gone over the total 42 times, while finishing under the total on 31 occasions, with 4 games resulting in a push. This suggests that the Rays have been involved in higher-scoring contests more often than not, adding excitement and offensive firepower to their matchups.
In contrast, the Kansas City Royals have participated in 73 games this season where an over/under total has been established. Of those games, they have hit the over in 32 instances, while falling short of the total in the remaining games. This indicates a slightly lower tendency for high-scoring affairs compared to the Rays but still showcases the potential for offensive output in their games.
With these statistics in mind, the upcoming game between the Rays and the Royals presents an intriguing dynamic. The Rays have excelled as favorites, while the Royals have displayed the ability to defy underdog odds. Furthermore, both teams have shown a propensity for games that surpass the over/under totals, indicating the potential for an exciting and potentially high-scoring matchup.
Players to Watch
The below key players for both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals will play crucial roles in their respective team's performance. Their contributions on the mound and at the plate will greatly impact the outcome of the game and make for an exciting matchup between the two teams.
Key Players to Watch for the Tampa Bay Rays:-
Shane McClanahan
The Rays' starting pitcher, McClanahan has been impressive this season with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss. He boasts an excellent ERA of 2.12 and has recorded 97 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings pitched. McClanahan's consistent performance on the mound makes him a crucial player to watch in this game.
Wander Franco
Franco has emerged as a key player for the Rays, contributing significantly to their success. With eight home runs, 35 runs batted in (RBI), and a solid batting average of .287, he has showcased his offensive prowess. As a young talent, Franco's performance will be closely monitored as he continues to make an impact on the team.
Randy Arozarena
Arozarena has been a consistent offensive force for the Rays this season. Batting .292, he leads the team with 14 home runs and 50 RBI. Arozarena's ability to hit for power and drive in runs makes him a potent threat in the lineup and a player to keep an eye on during the game.
Yandy Diaz
Diaz has been a reliable hitter for the Rays, leading the team with a batting average of .303. While not known for his power, he consistently puts the ball in play and contributes to the team's offensive production. Diaz's ability to get on base and provide timely hits makes him an essential player to watch in this matchup.
Key Players to Watch for the Kansas City Royals:-
Jose Cuas
Cuas will make his first start of the season for the Royals. As a new face in the rotation, his performance will be intriguing to observe. The Royals will rely on Cuas to deliver a strong outing on the mound and provide stability for the team.
Bobby Witt Jr.
Witt Jr. has displayed his versatility this season, showcasing power and speed. With 11 doubles, four triples, and 12 home runs, he demonstrates the ability to hit for extra bases. Witt Jr.'s offensive contributions and ability to get on base with walks make him an important player for the Royals.
Salvador Perez
Perez is a standout player for the Royals, leading the team in multiple offensive categories. He has belted 14 home runs, driven in 37 runs, and maintains a solid batting average of .271. As a veteran presence in the lineup, Perez's ability to provide power and drive in runs will be critical for the Royals' success.
Edward Olivares
Olivares has displayed decent offensive production for the Royals, hitting .254 with 10 doubles, four triples, and five home runs. He brings a combination of power and speed to the lineup and has shown the ability to contribute to the team's offensive output.
MJ Melendez
Despite a lower batting average of .211, Melendez has showcased his extra-base hitting ability with 12 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. Additionally, he has exhibited patience at the plate with 29 walks. Melendez's potential to deliver key hits and work the count will be worth monitoring during the game.
Rosters
Tampa Bay Rays
5.6
119
.263
8.5
8.8
3.54
Kansas City Royals
3.7
67
.233
8.9
8.5
5.11
Team
Runs Per Game
Home Runs
Batting Average
Strikeouts Per Game
K/9
Team ERA
Royals vs Ray NBA Summer League - FAQs
The two teams split the series, with each team securing a victory in the two-game matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Rays are heavily favored with odds of -332 to win Game 1 against the Kansas City Royals.
The game will be held at Tropicana Field, and the first pitch is scheduled for Thursday at 6:40 PM Eastern Time.
The Rays will start Shane McClanahan, a talented left-handed pitcher, while the Royals will rely on Jose Cuas, who will make his first start of the season.
The Tampa Bay Rays currently have an impressive record of 52 wins and 25 losses, while the struggling Kansas City Royals have a record of 20 wins and 54 losses.