Tampa Bay Rays Preview 2025: MLB Odds & Prediction

Shane Jackson Feb 26, 2025, 4:22 PM

min read

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot delivers to the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Rays are coming off their first losing season since 2017.
Junior Caminero is a player worth watching for Tampa Bay this season.

Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. They must now play their home games in George M. Steinbrenner Field (spring training complex for the New York Yankees) in 2025.

Will Tampa Bay return to form this season?

Here’s a look at the latest MLB betting lines and my prediction for the Rays ahead of the 2025 season:

Rays MLB Odds 2025

Win Total: 81.5
AL East: +950
AL Pennant: +2000
World Series: +5000

The Rays’ playoff odds are not getting as much market respect following last year’s 80-82 campaign. It marked the team’s first losing season since 2017.

For comparison, check out this breakdown of Tampa Bay’s preseason odds in recent years:

Year	Win Total	AL East	AL Pennant	World Series
2024	85.5	+575	+1500	+3500
2023	88.5	+350	+1000	+2000
2022	89.5	+240	+650	+1400
2021	86.5	+425	+1200	+2500

Rays Depth Chart 2025

According to RosterResource, the Rays project to have a similar roster to the one they were using after last year’s trade deadline.

Tampa Bay signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, catcher Danny Jansen, and outfielder Eloy Jiménez this offseason.

Projected lineup

Player	Position	Hand	2024 wRC+
Yandy Díaz	1B	R	120
Brandon Lowe	2B	L	123
Junior Caminero	3B	R	105
Josh Lowe	RF	L	98
Danny Jansen	C	R	89
Christopher Morel	LF	R	82
Jonathan Aranda	DH	L	113
Jonny DeLuca	CF	R	77
Taylor Walls	SS	S	60

Projected rotation

Player	Hand	2024 ERA	2024 IP
Shane McClanahan	LHP	N/A	N/A
Taj Bradley	RHP	4.11	138
Ryan Pepiot	RHP	3.60	130
Zack Littell	RHP	3.63	156.1
Shane Baz	RHP	3.06	79.1
Drew Rasmussen	RHP	2.83	28.2

Rays Player to Watch in 2025

Junior Caminero, who will turn 22 this summer, is the player to watch on the Rays. He has the potential to become a franchise player.

Caminero played 43 games in 2024, posting an OPS+ of 105 with six home runs. It’s hard not to be excited about his 2025 campaign after he recently crushed a go-ahead home run (and had an epic celebration) in Game 7 of the Dominican Winter League Championship Series.

OOPSY, a projection system available at FanGraphs, forecasts Caminero for 31 home runs and a wRC+ of 129 this year.

Rays Betting Prediction for 2025

Based on the updated MLB odds market, I don’t have a Rays betting prediction until more markets become available this spring. But I’m interested in betting on Caminero’s home run props early in the year when the Rays have more home games.

Per OOPSY’s projections, only 24 players will finish with more home runs this year than Caminero. That’s tempting for his 150/1 price tag to lead the league in homers, but I’d prefer to take advantage of any discounted offerings on his individual game odds early on.

Tampa Bay’s temporary home ballpark has similar dimensions to Yankee Stadium, featuring 318 feet to the left corner and 314 feet to the right corner.

Caminero, a right-handed batter, will likely do more damage to the left. That’s something to keep in mind when monitoring the early matchups.

Either way, he will be on my list of potential home run bets for opening day when the Rays host the Colorado Rockies.

Rays Schedule

2025 MLB Team Previews & Predictions

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Tampa Bay Rays Preview 2025: MLB Odds & Prediction

Rays MLB Odds 2025