Who: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

When: 6:40pm EST

Moneyline: Phillies +130/Rays -120

Run Line: Phillies +1.5 (-172)/ Rays -1.5 (+152)

Total: 9 (-113/-107)

For the first time this season, the Tampa Bay Rays (57-32) find themselves in an unfamiliar situation: a four-game losing streak. Even though Tampa still enjoys a comfortable five-game lead in the competitive AL East – and the best record in all of baseball – they will look to avoid getting swept for the first time this season against the Philadelphia Phillies (46-39) in the final match of a three-game series.

The Phillies, on the other hand, have enjoyed some recent success themselves. Winners of their last consecutive road games and eight of their last eleven overall, Philadelphia will look to complete the sweep today in Tropicana Field as they try to cut an 11.5 game deficit in the NL East.

In tonight’s contest, Philly will turn to Cristopher Sanchez (0-2, 3.26 ERA) to take the mound opposite Shawn Armstrong (0-0, 1.15 ERA) for the Rays. For the young lefty Sanchez, he will be looking to pick up his first win of the season in only his fifth start of the year. Armstrong, meanwhile, will also look to pick up his first win in only his second start of the season, after primarily serving as a relief pitcher.

This will be an interesting matchup featuring two of the most potent offensives in baseball against two largely unproven pitchers. That’s why the total seems enticing. In Tampa’s last six games against Philadelphia, the over has hit in four of those contests (trend courtesy of Oddsshark). However, the total has gone under in 11 of Philly’s last 16 games.

As far as the moneyline, the value we are getting with a hot Phillies’ team may be extremely appealing. Still, it will also be difficult to pass up on a hungry Rays squad looking to end their longest losing skid of the season.