Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics July 2nd 2025
The None Athletics will play against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. The game is set for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 12:10 PM. Fans can catch the action on NSPCA as the teams play in the afternoon under overcast skies with a light breeze.
The Athletics, managed by Mark Kotsay, hold a record of 36-52 this season. They are 16 games behind in the AL West. On the other side, the Rays, managed by Kevin Cash, have a record of 47-39 and are just 1 game behind in the AL East. Mitch Spence will start for the Athletics, while Ryan Pepiot takes the mound for the Rays.
Athletics vs Rays Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: None Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL
- Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
- Betting Odds:
- Consensus: Athletics +155, Rays -189, Total Over 9.0 (-108), Total Under 9.0 (-113)
- Fanduel: Athletics +158, Rays -188, Total Over 9.5 (+104), Total Under 9.5 (-128)
- Caesars: Athletics +158, Rays -190, Total Over 9.0 (-105), Total Under 9.0 (-115)
The Athletics Can Win If…
The None Athletics recently won against the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3. Shea Langeliers and Max Muncy were key players, each hitting a home run. Jeffrey Springs pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing only two earned runs, which helped secure the win.
The Athletics have a strong lineup with power hitters like Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom. They rank 8th in home runs this season with 107. Their slugging percentage is 10th in the league, which shows their ability to hit for power.
Pitcher Mitch Spence will start for the Athletics. He has a solid ERA of 3.82 and a WHIP of 1.30. With these stats, Spence can limit the opposing team’s scoring opportunities and give the Athletics a chance to win.
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a close 3-4 loss to the None Athletics. Shane Baz had a strong performance with 11 strikeouts over seven innings. Despite the loss, the Rays managed to hit three home runs, showcasing their power at the plate.
The Rays have a team batting average of .258, ranking them 2nd in the league. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 112, adding a speed element to their offensive strategy. This combination of power and speed makes them a threat in any game.
Ryan Pepiot will take the mound for the Rays with a solid ERA of 3.36. His ability to keep hitters off balance could be key against the Athletics. With strong performances from players like Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe, the Rays have the potential to secure a win.
The Lean
The Rays are favored with a moneyline of -189. They have a better batting average and earned run average compared to the Athletics. My model projects the Rays to win 6-4. The recommendation is to pick the Rays to win straight up.
The total is set at 9.0 runs. The Athletics have a high earned run average, and the Rays have a strong offense. My model projects the total score to be 10 runs. The recommendation is to take the over 9.0 runs.
Shea Langeliers’ Triumphant Return Leads A’s in Sweep Attempt of Rays
Shea Langeliers has made an immediate and massive impact since returning to the Oakland lineup. The Oakland Athletics catcher has powered his team to two straight wins, and now the A’s have a chance to complete a stunning three-game road sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
The Langeliers Effect
After missing nearly a month with an oblique injury, Langeliers hasn’t missed a beat. He homered in his first at-bat back on Monday and hit another home run in Tuesday’s 4-3 extra-inning victory. He has also been a force defensively, twice throwing out the major league’s leading base stealer, Jose Caballero, in key situations on Tuesday.
“I’m excited to be back out there with the boys,” Langeliers said. “It is good to be out playing again and luckily I have gotten a couple of hits to start.”

Tampa’s Clutch Hitting Woes
While the A’s are getting big hits, the Rays are struggling to find them. In Tuesday’s loss, Tampa Bay left 10 runners on base and went a dismal 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Their inability to get a clutch hit has been the story of the series.
“They have put a lot of pressure on us,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, giving credit to the A’s pitchers. “Our offense has come up short, but I give the credit to their starters and especially their relievers. Mason Miller is not a guy you want to see out there with the game on the line.”
A Duel of Opposite Trajectories
Wednesday’s pitching matchup features two right-handers on very different paths. The A’s will start Mitch Spence (2-3, 3.82 ERA), who has been excellent since moving from the bullpen to the rotation, posting a 2.92 ERA in five starts.
The Rays will counter with Ryan Pepiot (5-6, 3.36 ERA), who is looking to bounce back from the shortest and worst start of his career, an outing where he lasted just 1 2/3 innings against the Orioles. This intriguing matchup will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.
Can the A’s Finish the Job?
A road sweep of a top contender would be a massive accomplishment for the last-place A’s. For two MLB teams at opposite ends of the standings, this finale is about momentum. The difficulty of completing a three-game road sweep is a key topic in our expert betting guide. To see who our experts think will win, check out our daily MLB picks.