Game Overview
The Tampa Bay Rays (61–59) wrap up their West Coast trip with a matchup against the Sacramento Athletics (48–72) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 PM ET at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, with national coverage on MLB Network. The Rays are battling to stay in the AL Wild Card race, while the Athletics are aiming to spoil playoff hopes for contenders. Get more breakdowns like this on our MLB previews page.
Team Analysis
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have been inconsistent offensively, but when Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena are locked in, they’re tough to contain. Drew Rasmussen’s return to the rotation has been a much-needed boost for a pitching staff that has dealt with injuries most of the season. The bullpen remains one of the best in the American League for holding late leads.
Sacramento Athletics
The Athletics are still in rebuilding mode, but they’ve shown fight at home. Young hitters like Zack Gelof are gaining valuable experience, and J.T. Ginn has shown flashes of being a capable starter, though command and efficiency remain question marks. The A’s defense will need to be sharp to limit extra chances for Tampa Bay’s lineup.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record / ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | Drew Rasmussen (RHP) | 3–2, 3.65 ERA | Solid command, mixes mid-90s fastball with cutter/slider combo; returning to form after injury layoff. |
| Athletics | J.T. Ginn (RHP) | 1–3, 6.12 ERA | Ground-ball pitcher who needs early run support; struggles when falling behind in counts. |
Assessment: Rasmussen’s experience and sharper stuff give Tampa Bay the pitching edge, though Ginn’s ability to induce weak contact could keep the game close early.
Head-to-Head & Storylines
This is the first series between the two clubs since the Athletics’ relocation to Sacramento, giving fans in Northern California another chance to see playoff-contending teams. Rasmussen’s ability to work deep will be key to sparing Tampa Bay’s bullpen before a critical homestand.
Key Players to Watch
- Rays: Randy Arozarena — heating up at the plate and always a threat on the basepaths.
- Athletics: Zack Gelof — one of the few consistent bats in the lineup, capable of sparking rallies.
Recent Form & Critical Factors
Tampa Bay is 6–4 in their last 10 games and has leaned heavily on pitching depth to stay in the hunt. Sacramento is 3–7 in that span, with inconsistent run production. For more insights on matchups like this, check out our full MLB betting previews.
Best Bets & Prediction
- Rays -125 Moneyline — Rasmussen’s edge on the mound and Tampa’s bullpen depth make this a strong play.
- Under 9.5 Runs — Ginn may limit the Rays early, and Rasmussen should control the A’s bats.
- First Five Innings Rays ML — Tampa Bay’s starter advantage is most pronounced early.
Final Score Prediction: Rays 5 – Athletics 3. Tampa Bay gets enough early offense to support Rasmussen, while Sacramento falls short despite a competitive showing.
