Royals vs. Rays Prediction: Tampa Bay Predicted to Win Thursday's MLB Matchup [5/1/2025]

The Tampa Bay Rays will square off with the Kansas City Royals in MLB action at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday, beginning at 1:10PM ET.

The Rays will have Shane Baz (3-0, 2.46 ERA) as their starting pitcher, up against Seth Lugo (2-3, 3.08 ERA) for the Royals.

Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' advanced MLB model (see Dimers Pro for full access) predicts the Rays as the most likely winner of today's game.

"Using the latest data, our experts simulated Thursday's Kansas City-Tampa Bay game 10,000 times," said Dimers' Chief Content Officer, Nick Slade.

"Taking into account recent updates and various additional inputs, we forecast the Rays with a win probability of 57% and the Royals with 43%."

For further insights into Thursday's matchup, including best bets and picks, visit our interactive Royals vs. Rays predictions page.

Rays vs. Royals Prediction: Who Will Win, Cover the Run Line?

Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Thursday's MLB matchup between the Royals and Rays 10,000 times as part of our MLB predictions coverage.

Our independent predictive model currently gives the Rays a 57% chance of defeating the Royals.

According to our model, the Royals (+1.5) have a 62% chance of covering the run line, while the 8.5-run over/under has a 56% chance of staying under.

Royals vs. Rays Odds [5/1/2025]

We have researched the best MLB odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

Bet Type	Royals	Rays
Run Line	+1.5 (-156)	-1.5 (+136)
Moneyline	+140	-160
Total	o8.5 (-105)	u8.5 (-108)

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Make the most of your sports betting experience by exploring our comprehensive list of US betting apps, and the latest sportsbooks in 2025, ensuring you never miss a top new-user deal.

Royals vs. Rays Picks and Best Bets

Our model's biggest edge in today's Royals vs. Rays matchup is on the run line.

Our expert predictions, matched against the best odds, reveal the best MLB picks and MLB best bets for every game throughout the season.

Unlimited access to our complete suite of picks, including this one, is available via Dimers Pro.

Calling Our Shot's Best Bets

Calling Our Shot produces daily MLB betting content, including the latest free picks featured below.

Royals vs. Rays Game-Day Updates and Essential Details

Thursday's MLB game between the Rays and Royals at George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled to start at 1:10PM ET.

• Who: Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays
• Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
• Time: 1:10PM ET/10:10AM PT
• Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field

Dimers.com's in-depth preview of Thursday's Royals vs. Rays matchup includes our prediction, picks and the latest betting odds.

Before making any Kansas City vs. Tampa Bay picks, be sure to check out the latest MLB predictions and betting advice from Dimers Pro.

Key MLB Betting Guides and Insights

• Explore how MLB odds work and dive into MLB live betting strategies
• Understand where sports odds come from and how they're applied to baseball matchups
• Learn how to use Dimers Futures to find long-term betting opportunities as the World Series draws closer
• Stay informed with where online sports betting is currently legal and which betting sites are safest to use
• Boost your success with strategies to win at sports betting and explore why MLB is one of the best leagues to bet on

Conclusion

We predict the Rays, with a 57% win probability, will likely beat the Royals on Thursday.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Royals vs. Rays insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.

More on MLB

Stay informed with the latest MLB news and MLB parlay picks throughout the season. Plus, our World Series odds offer the latest projections for the World Series, American League, National League and each division.