Dodgers vs. Rays Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Will Snell Look Rusty After Long Layoff?

Our Dodgers vs. Rays prediction backs the home underdogs with Los Angeles southpaw Blake Snell likely looking rusty after a four-month layoff.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 2, 2025 8:44 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Pictured: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell is the focus of our Dodgers vs. Rays prediction. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez via Imagn Images.

Blake Snell makes his first start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in four months when facing the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle game of a three-game series, as we offer our Dodgers vs. Rays prediction. The Dodgers are -135 moneyline road favorites according to the best sports betting sites, and first pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is set for 1:10 p.m. ET (Fubo).

Snell headlines our Dodgers vs. Rays best bets, as he faces the Tampa Bay organization with which he won the first of his two Cy Young Awards.

Dodgers vs. Rays prediction: Rays to win (+115 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
Best Dodgers vs. Rays player props: Blake Snell to record Over 2.5 walks (+155 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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✅ Dodgers vs. Rays prediction: Rays to win (+155 via BetMGM)

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Snell is pitching in his first Major League game since April 2, following a four-month stint on the IL for due to shoulder inflammation. While he looked solid in throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings, with 76 pitches, in his last rehab outing, his likelihood of being rusty is the biggest reason for backing Tampa Bay with my Dodgers vs. Rays prediction.

I would have backed the road favorites with my Dodgers vs. Rays best bet had Tampa Bay completely punted at the trade deadline. But its additions of Adrian Houser and Griffin Jax suggest there is a belief it can nail down one of the three Wild Card spots in the American League.

Snell will likely be on a strict pitch count, with four or five innings as his ceiling. That puts more stress on a Dodgers bullpen that threw the third-most innings of any NL team in July.

L.A.’s bullpen was not even all that effective last month, ranking 19th in ERA, 21st in FIP, and 29th in xFIP. That opens the door for a big day offensively for a Rays lineup that ranked third in on-base percentage and fourth in wRC+ in July home games.

💰 Best Dodgers vs. Rays player props

✅ Best Dodgers vs. Rays player prop: Blake Snell to record Over 2.5 walks (+155 via DraftKings)

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Snell did not allow a hit in 4 2/3 innings in his last rehab start, but he was still plagued by control issues. He walked four batters, and the fact that he issued four free passes in each of his first two starts of the season has me backing this Over as my best Dodgers vs. Rays player prop.

Snell faces a Rays lineup that entered the series ranked 19th in walk rate (7.9%). But Tampa Bay is a much more patient lineup against southpaws, especially at home, where its 10.1% walk rate ranks fourth.

The Over on Snell’s 1.5 walks is juiced as high as -190 at bet365, so I am getting creative with his alternate walks total. Through DraftKings’ +155 odds, a $10 winning wager would pay $15.50 in profits.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”