Patriots DT Davon Godchaux accept two-year extension of up to $21 million

New England continues their desire to maintain continuity along the defensive lines. As part of that project, Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux has accepted a two-year extension deal of up to $12 million.  NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the news on Wednesday, according to a source. Rapoport added that the contract includes $16.5 million in guaranteed money.  Godchaux is the running-stuffing specialist for a New England defense that finished fourth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per match (93.2 last season). The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder delivered 56 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and a fumble save in 2023. He started in 17 matches and preserved his consistent presence for the Patriots defense.  Davon was nearing the end of his contract and expressed his desire for a new deal this year by skipping the club’s offseason program. The 29-year-old arrived at training camp but had yet to join practice before Wednesday’s extension news.  New England spent most of this offseason res-signing players that jeopardized a defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in 2023 (301.6 YPG), including defensive lineman Christian Barmore, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, outside linebacker Josh Uche, and safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.  Next order of business for the team will be fulfilling Matt Judon’s request for a new contract; an issue that seemed resolved early in the week.  With Godchaux secured, the Patriots can now focus on maintaining Jerod Mayo’s unit as he enters his first campaign as head coach. 

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ranking to top 5 prospects at the mlb trade deadline

Ranking the top 5 prospects at the MLB Trade Deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline ended on Tuesday with some ruckus just before the clock struck 6.p.m ET. Teams worked round the clock to add impact bats and arms to their Major League rosters as part of their projects for the postseason.  Others fought to bolster their farm systems with talented return packages that could brighten the future of the franchise.  A total of 56 prospects were dealt who made their new clubs’ MLB Pipeline Top 30 rankings. This post seeks to rank the top 5 prospects at the MLB Trade Deadline.  1.  Connor Norby, 2B/OF, Marlins (No.5) Dealt from the Baltimore Orioles in the Trevor Rogers trade. Norby gets a nod for being a finished product. The Orioles’ crowded position-player group allowed Norby to basically build a second full year at Triple-A where he slashed .297/.389/.519 with 16 homers in 80 matches. He also has the chances to hit for a strong average with selective aggression and at least average power. He could step in swiftly and clinch the Miami Marlins’ second-base job with the chance he never got with the Orioles.  2. Augustin Ramirez, C, Marlins (No.6) Bought from the New York Yankees in the Jazz Chisholm trade. There is no doubt that Ramirez can hit for power. The right-handed slugger has combined homers over the last two campaigns, and slugged .570 over a 58-game spin at Double-A earlier his season. Ramirez has struggled some in an introduction to Triple-A (hurt by a low BABIP), and his defense is still rough enough that he might be a first baseman long term (He’s thrown out only two of 33 attempted base stealers, for starters.) He would still have upside at the cold corner if the Marlins cannot fix his issues behind the plate.  3. Jake Bloss, RHP, Blue Jays (No. 3) Bought from the Houston Astros in the Yusei Kikuchi trade. Bloss has been one of the breakout stories of the Minor League season, graduating from third-round pick out of Georgetown last year to the Majors this summer.  Paul Skenes and Hurston Waldrep are the only pitchers from the 2023 Draft class to witness The Show to this point. Bloss’ 92-94 mph fastball and multiple above-average breaking balls give him a well-loaded arsenal, which should give him enough shots at the Toronto rotation.  4. Thayron Liranzo, C/1B, Tigers (No.5) Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade. Liranzo showed spectacular pull side power, and that helped him launch 24 home runs for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last year in his age-19 season. He has hit a speed bump with the move to High-A this year, slashing only .220/.344/,356 with seven fingers in 74 matches. So it is an opportunity for the Tigers to buy low. Thayron’s plus arm strength gives the Tigers something else to build around, and they should have an interesting debate of Detroit’s catching situation with Liranzo. He will be judged alongside Dillion Dingler and Josue Briceño. 5. George Klassen, RHP, Angels (No.3) Dealt from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Carlos Estevez trade. The last pick in the MLB Trade Deadline is Klassen. Severe control concerns at the University of Minnesota caused him to go in the sixth round last year. The Phillies hit the ground running while harnessing his powers; an upper-90s fastball and two above-average breaking balls, and the results have been astounding.  Klassen delivered a 1.97 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 21 walks in 59 ⅓ innings between Single-A and High-A this season at the time of the trade. He still needs to be tested in the upper Minors and over deeper outings, but he might have the biggest up arrow next to his name of anyone on this list. 

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victor wembanyama, france outlive japan in ot

Paris Olympics Update: Victor Wembanyama, France outlive Japan in OT

The 2024 Olympics Games have officially begun in Paris, France. Group A (Australia, Spain, Greece, Canada) and Group B (Germany, Brazil, France, Japan) swung back in action while pool play for the men’s and women’s 3×3 competition tipped off in Paris.  Take a look at the best basketball moments from July 30.  Germany 86, Brazil 73. France 94, Japan 90 (OT). Canada 93, Australia 83. Spain 84, Greece 77. 3×3 Pool Play (Men) • Serbia 22, USA 14 3×3 Pool Play (Women) • Germany 17, USA 13.

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team usa arrives france for olympics

‘Locked-in’ Team USA arrives France for beginning of Olympics

As the Olympics kick off, big, bold and colorful signs and banners go up in several places, acknowledging the biggest basketball attraction in a city that anticipates its magnificence.  But enough about San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama. Team USA had its first practice in France on Thursday at the Palais de sports Marcel-Cerdan. This was the gym where French sensation Wembanyama got his first start before joining the Spurs. However, as USA gears up to face Serbia on Sunday for the Olympics, there is still no word on Kevin Durant and his calf injury and when he will finally play.  Durant attended practice four times but did not play in any of the five exhibition matches. Coach Steve Kerr said his status remains uncertain. Kerr said: “There are no expectations other than he’s supposed to practice, we’ll scrimmage, then take it day by day.” Durant said he felt rejuvenated and is good enough to stay on the team and play at some point in the Olympics.  Durant said: “Each day is getting better, another intense practice and we’ll see how it feels.” With Durant absent, Kerr will probably start with the five players he had for most of the exhibition games, pending a last-minute change: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker. “We’re not traveling around anymore,” Kerr said. “We’re here. We got six games. We get through pool play, advance, then it’s the NCAA tournament.” Team USA  had some tension against South Sudan and Germany, and Kerr said he believed those lapses will not follow the team to the Olympics. “We need 40 minutes of forced attention and focus,” Kerr said. “We can’t let teams outplay us, effort and energy wise, as we did.” The pool play will hold in Lille, France’s most populated city, at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium. The site was chosen, partly because Paris only has one arena that can house basketball games. Bercy will host gymnastics next week. FIBA, the national governing body for basketball, voiced complaints when that location was announced two years ago. The NBA commissioner Adam Silver also expressed his displeasure. Lille is two hours from Paris, near the Belgium border, making it inconvenient for a popular Olympics sport. Due to the logistics, Team USA will travel back and forth for three matches, in a private car, and stay in a hotel in Paris. The following week, the medal stage will move to Paris for the games. When asked which country he is most looking forward to playing, Curry said: “Whoever’s in the gold medal game.” That mindset is perfect for a team that once again projects as dominant. “We have another level we can get to,” Kerr said. “It’s time to lock in, that’s for all of us, coaches and players, to get to that point, mentally, strategically.”

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rodgers, wilson anticipated at jets camp

D.J. Reed: Aaron Rodgers, Garett Wilson connection ‘definitely on a different zone right now’ at Jets camp

Garrett Wilson posted 1,000-plus yards in all of his first two NFL seasons while catching passes from Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle. Imagine what Wilson can do with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. One year ago, the Wilson-Rodgers duo looked ready for a big year before Rodgers’ season ended after four snaps. With the four-time MVP returning to play, expectations are even higher in 2024. During the NFL Network’s Back Together Weekend on Saturday, Rodgers gushed about Wilson’s otherworldly talent, stating that he is still learning as a third-year wide receiver. “He’s hard to throw to, honestly — he’s so damn fast,” Rodgers said. “I threw a ball to him on the first play of practice on Wednesday, and I threw it and I thought maybe I had overthrown him and he actually slowed down maybe half a step. So, it takes some getting used to. He’s just so dynamic because he can go from zero to full speed so quickly, and he can look like he’s just kind of gliding out there because he’s moving so fast. It’s a gift. “Now his thing is the details. If we can get him to figure out just a little minor details, things are going to take off. We had a play today that I asked him to do something on rep he wasn’t going to get (the ball), and he didn’t realize it at the time, but it was setting up a play later in practice where we had a similar look. He comes back, and he kind of got it. So, it’s little things like that. “He’s in his third year, he’s going to figure it out. He has all the skill sets; he’s as dynamic as I’ve ever been around. If he can figure out how to practice with those details, then you get in the game, and he just relies on his instincts and it’s going to be really special.” Rodgers’ intelligence, experience, and feel for the offense combined with Garett’s talent, will certainly help Wilson expand his game on the field. The former MVP knows how to bring out the best in his players in crucial moments. Just like he once nurtured Davante Adams, he can leverage Wilson’s ability to win off the line. Off the field, Rodgers believes Wilson is becoming a leader who inspires other players. “I don’t want to turn off the passion at all — he’s a passionate guy, he’s got a contagious energy about him,” the Jets QB told NFL Network’s Judy Battista and Brian Baldinger. “It’s just when that passion becomes overly demonstrative, then we want to scale it back a little bit. But his passion is an asset. So, I don’t want to turn any off. “I want him to take the next step in leadership because I think he can really take the next step. There’s certain guys on a roster that are the energy guys that everybody is kind of looking to. By default, the quarterback is often that guy, but for him, he’s got to realize that people are watching him at all times. It’s no longer you’re a rookie, or you’re a second-year expectation — no, now you’re in a position to lead, and when you do that, everybody is watching all the time. They’re watching how your attitude is, how your interactions are with the guys and so his next step is that leadership role, and I think he’s going to embrace that. He could be a dynamic leader for us.” Although the pads have not come on yet, the early returns on the Rodgers-Wilson special are evident in camp. Veteran cornerback D.J.Reed said the duo is putting pressure on a good defense.  “I’ll just say: 8 [Rodgers] and Garrett, they’re definitely in a different zone right now,” he said. “What we’re being asked to do, they’re making it hard. They know what we’re in, so they’re giving us the hard downs, which is ultimately going to prepare for Game 1 and the season. But with their chemistry, they’re doing stuff, like, on the go. They’re running a certain route. If you over pursue, they’re running another route. They’re definitely in a different element. But it’s ultimately going to make me better.” If Rodgers and Wilson are both healthy in the 2024 season, they should be one of the top QB-WR combos in the NFL.

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yankees sign jazz chisholm from marlins

Yankees sign Jazz Chisholm from Marlins for 3 prospects

The New York Yankees announced on Saturday evening that they had acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins in place of three prospects. Voted as the National League’s starting second baseman for the 2022 All-Star Game, Chisholm has spent most of the past two seasons in center field. He moved in to create space for Miami’s All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez. Arraez joined the San Diego Padres in May, but Chisholm recently returned to second a couple of times a week to reduce how much he was running in the outfield. Trade Details Yankees get: OF/INF Jazz Chisholm Jr. Marlins Get: C Agustin Ramirez (Yankees No. 20 prospect), INF Jared Serna (No. 19 prospect), INF Abrahan Ramirez After New York’s 11-8, 10-inning win on Saturday, the team showed extra joy for its latest signing. “He’s a dynamic player,” said a grinning Aaron Judge. “You can throw him up at the leadoff spot or wherever, he’s going to definitely lengthen this lineup. He’s a weapon. You can put him on the outfield, anywhere in the infield. He’s got speed, he’s got power and all of us are pretty excited to have him on board.” “We’re excited to get a talent like his,” said manager Aaron Boone. “We think his skill set will play at Yankee Stadium. He’s got power, he has tremendous speed, he’s got position versatility. He plays with a lot of energy and a lot of pizzazz.” Entering the 2024 season, Chisholm had two big questions concerning him, which were his ability to remain healthy and hit against left-handers. He has proven himself on both ends. Chisholm, who is a left-handed hitter, has already surpassed his total number of matches from ‘23 with 101. He has a better average (.254 to .246) and on-base percentage (.324 to .323) vs. southpaws this campaign.  Although his home run rate is down, he has double-digit taters (13) and stolen bases (22) for the fourth season in a row. Chisholm has one of the best improvements in whiff rate, from 35.7% to 28.6%, in baseball despite seeing fewer pitches to hit. He also demonstrates elite baserunning run value, according to Baseball Savant.

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kredier, quick ready for rangers stanley cup race

Kreider, Quick prepared for Rangers to start another race for Stanley Cup

Chris Kreider took a leave to rest his body after the New York Rangers were knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on June 1 before going back to the gym and on the ice to prepare for a new season.  Kreider’s mind never stopped playing the match after the Florida Panthers eliminated New York in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final. “I just don’t think you ever downshift after that,” Kreider said from the Shoulder Check Showcase at Terry Conners Rink on Thursday. “Personally, I haven’t really been able to, so I just think you roll right into next season and continue to get better as a team and as individuals.” The next campaign for Kreider and the Rangers seems like it cannot come fast enough. “We know what we have in that locker room,” goalie Jonathan Quick said. “We know how good of a group we are. You lose and obviously you soak that loss a little bit, that stings for a little bit until you realize you have another season here to look forward to and build into, so you start preparing for that. That’s the mindset.” Before they could pay attention to what is to come, the Rangers watched the Panthers, the team that beat them after their Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, go ahead to win the Stanley Cup. Kreider, said he rarely watches the Stanley Cup Final, but he did this season. “For whatever reason I just wanted to suffer through it,” he said. It was clearly not easy on him, but he did anyway.  Could the Rangers have lifted the Cup in late June if they did some things differently in late May? New York held a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series after a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 3 at Amerant Bank Arena on May 26. They lost each of the next three matches by one goal. What was the difference? “I think that was the best team we played all year,” Kreider said. “I think they had absolutely zero ego to their game. They got to their game quicker than any other team. They had complete buy-in up and down their lineup, and to a man we all knew we were right there with them. It’s a game of inches so we’ve got to do the things right now in the offseason going into camp to make sure we come out on the other side of those close ones.” Kreider said the biggest lesson from that series is that the Panthers established their playing style early in each match because it was a no-nonsense, straight-line, puck-to-the-net, method. “It’s that simple playoff style,” Kreider said. “It works. It works. We’re capable of doing those things and the more consistently we do those I think it just becomes the law of averages.” It is that lesson they learned from Florida, that the Rangers should take into training camp. They added a player who knows about having the law of averages on his club’s side. Reilly Smith won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 season. They beat the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Quick was the backup goalie. New York got Smith in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1 for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2027. Smith was not right for the Penguins, which is why the Rangers got him without losing any player on its roster. But they hope he can be a fit with them, possibly as the right wing on the top line with Kreider and center Mike Zibanejad. The Rangers also signed center Sam Carrick to replace Barclay Goodrow, who was waived and claimed by the San Jose Sharks. Additionally, Erik Gustafsson (Detroit Red Wings), and forwards Jack Roslovic (Carolina Hurricanes) and Alex Wennberg (Sharks) through free agency. But the center is expected to be back and in training camp on Day 1. If everyone else is anything like Kreider, Day 1 of camp will be like an extension of last season.  “It’s a super-close group, obviously not a lot of turnover, so I think everyone is in the same frame of mind,” Kreider said, “just champing at the bit, ready to go.”

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tigers vs twins betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Detroit Tigers VS Minnesota Twins betting Predictions

The Minnesota Twins will travel to Michigan to face the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, for game one of the Tigers VS Twins three-game series. MatchPlug has shared MLB best bets today, picks, odds, and predictions for Tigers VS Twins. We are the best place to get updates, news, and analysis for Major League Baseball. Predictions And Betting Preview For Detroit Tigers VS Minnesota Twins  Venue: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan. When: Friday, 26th July, 2024. Time: 23:40. Teams to play: Tigers and Twins. MLB Expert Picks: OVER 7.5. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Detroit Tigers 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.397. 1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5 The Detroit Tigers are 51-53 this season and have won six of their last nine matches. The Tigers are off a series split with the Cleveland Guardians, where they won two matches and lost two. Before that series, Detroit won two out of three against the Toronto Blue Jays, won two out of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and won three out of four against Cleveland. They are 12-5 in their last 17 matches and are fourht in the AL Central. Detroit’s pitching staff score a 3.89 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and a .242 opponent batting average. The Tigers offense has secured 445 runs with a .233 batting average and a .298 on base percentage. Riley Green bats .264 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI’s for the Tigers this campaign. They have permitted three runs or fewer in four of their last six matches. Betting On The Minnesota Twins 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.615 1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5 The Minnesota Twins are 56-45 this season and have not lost four of their last six matches. The Twins are off a series win against the Philadelphia Phillies, where they won two out of three matches. Before that series, Minnesota lost both matches against the Milwaukee Brewers, lost two out of three against the San Francisco Giants, and won two out of three against the Chicago White Sox. The Twins are 4-6 in their last 10 matches and are second in the AL Central, 4.5 matches behind the Guardians. Minnesota’s pitching staff has a 4.11 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and a .235 opponent batting average. The Twins offense scored 489 runs with a .252 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. Carlos Santana bats .246 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI’s for Minnesota this term. They have scored at least four runs in four of their last five matches. MatchPlug Prediction For Detroit Tigers VS Minnesota Twins  The Tigers have had a good offense over the last few weeks, but are starting Montero in this match, who has not played very well. The Twins will start with Pablo Lopez, whose ERA this season is low, but have played well recently. Both offenses should succeed in this match, and Minnesota will throw Montero off his game. Experts predict an Over 7.5 for this match. Final Prediction: Detroit Tigers Over 7.5.

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phillies vs guardians betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Philadelphia Phillies VS Cleveland Guardians betting Predictions

The Philadelphia Phillies will host the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park for game one of their Phillies VS Guardians three-game series starting tonight. MatchPlug has the MLB best bets today which you can rely on for Phillies VS Guardians. We are one of the Best sports betting sites to get previews for MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For Philadelphia Phillies VS Cleveland Guardians Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When: Friday, July 26th, 2024. Time: 23:40 Teams to play: Phillies and Guardians.  MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Philadelphia Phillies 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.566 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5 The Philadelphia Phillies are 64-38 this campaign and have lost five of their last seven matches. The Phillies are off a series loss against Minnesota, where they have lost two out of three matches. Before that series, they lost two against three to the Pirates, two to the Oakland Athletics, and swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in three matches. Philadelphia is 3-6 in their last nine matches and are first in the NL East.  Philadelphia’s pitching staff has a 3.46 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and a .230 opponent batting average. The team’s offense has scored 500 runs with a .257 batting average and a .329 on base percentage. Bryce Harper bats .282 with 23 home runs and 65 RBI’s for the Phillies this campaign. They have allowed up to four runs in seven of their last nine matches. Betting On The Cleveland Guardians 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.515 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5 The Cleveland Guardians are 61-41 this year and have lost four of their last six matches. Cleveland is off a series split with Detroit, where they won two matches and lost two. Before that series, the Guardians lost twice to the San Diego Padres, two out of three against the Tampa Bay Rays, and three times out of four against the Detroit Tigers. They are 4-8 in their last 12 matches and are first in the AL Central. Cleveland’s pitching staff has a 3.65 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and a .233 opponent batting average. Their offense has scored 471 runs with a .241 batting average and .313 on base percentage. Jose Ramirez is batting .273 with 24 home runs and 82 RBI’s for the Guardians this season. Cleveland scores two runs or less in five of their last six matches. MatchPlug Prediction For Philadelphia Phillies VS Cleveland Guardians  The Guardians perform better at home than they do on the road, and are currently struggling with major offensive issues. Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central is dwindling and they face a challenging series. Ben Lively and Cristopher Sanchez the pitchers have been solid this campaign, but Sanchez has an ERA under three. The Guardians’ offense isn’t exactly trustworthy, so experts back the Phillies to win by at least two runs. Final Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies below the Spread.

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rays vs reds betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Tampa Bay Rays VS Cincinnati Reds betting Predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds will clash tonight in game one of an ongoing Rays VS Reds series at Tropicana Field.  Find the MLB best bets today, predictions, picks, and odds for Rays VS Reds on MatchPlug. We are a Sure Prediction Site to get accurate previews on MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For Tampa Bay Rays VS Cincinnati Reds  Venue: Tropicana Park. When: Saturday, July 26th, 2024. Time: 23:50 Teams to play: Rays and Reds. MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.89. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Tampa Bay Rays 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.89 1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5 The Tampa Bay Rays are 52-51 on the season after playing the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Tamp Bay has scored 20 runs in their last 3 matches and 4 or more runs in 4 of their last 6 matches. The Rays have won 13 straight games when scoring 4 or more runs. Yandy Diaz leads Tampa Bay with 104 hits and 46 RBIs, while Isaac Paredes and Amed Rosario have combined for 168 hits and 81 RBI. Betting On The Cincinnati Reds 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.971 1XBet Over/Under: Under 1.5 The Cincinnati Reds are 49-53 on the year after playing the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. Cincinnati has scored 15 runs in its last 3 matches and 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 6 games. The Reds have split their last 4 matches when scoring 4 or more runs. Elly De La Cruz leads the Cincinnati Reds with 100 hits and 45 RBI, while Jonathan India and Spencer Steer share 178 hits and 104 RBI. MatchPlug Prediction For Tampa Bay Rays VS Cincinnati Reds  The Tampa Bay Rays should play a pick ’em spot at home, especially since they have been the better squad overall. But, Shane Baz, their pitcher does not have the sample size to trust, and he is still working his way into being a starter. Nick Lodolo has more reps under his belt, and has been excellent this campaign, with some of his best starts coming on the road. Experts backed the Reds to win this match. Prediction: Cincinnati Reds Moneyline.

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