MLB: Pirates vs Rays Odds, and Picks (May 2)
- The Pirates lost to the Nationals, 7-2, on Sunday.
- Tampa Bay came up short, 12-9, against the White Sox.
- Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay are 9-9 against each other in their team history.
The Pirates (20-9) and the Rays (23-6) will meet for a matchup between the MLB’s top two teams. Tampa Bay has been even better than expected, while Pittsburgh has fully turned things around from last season.
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How to Watch
- Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
- When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 6:40 p.m ET
- How to Watch: Bally Sports
Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
| Pirates | |
| Rays |
Game Preview
Pittsburgh has had an exceptional start to their season. After failing to eclipse 83 wins in a season since 2015, the Pirates are finally beginning to look competitive again. They currently sit at 20-9, boasting an impressive 11-5 record on the road. They’ve been balanced on both sides of the ball, holding the MLB’s 3rd best run differential, and ranking in the top-5 in both runs scored and runs allowed. The Pirates are back.
The Rays were 6-0 against the White Sox this season prior to Sunday’s loss, where they failed to sweep them for a 2nd time. They still hold the MLB’s best record at 23-6, continuing to win at a blistering pace. Tampa Bay also boasts the league’s best run differential, having already eclipsed the +100 mark. They rank 1st in runs scored, averaging nearly 7 runs per game, and 1st in runs allowed, giving up just over 3 rpg.
Prediction
Both the Pirates and the Rays have played fantastic baseball so far this season. They currently sit as the #1 and #2 team in the MLB based on record. Tampa Bay has had a historically strong start, setting them a level apart from the rest, but have come back down to earth lately. With Roansy Contreras (3.58 ERA) on the mound for Pittsburgh against Javy Guerra (8.64 ERA) for the Rays, I like the Pirates to get the upset.
MLB Picks:
