Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays 5/2/23 – On Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates will attempt to win their fifth consecutive interleague series when they meet Tampa Bay Rays for Game 1 of their three-game interleague set. Roansy Contreras will get the start for the Pirates while Josh Fleming of the Rays will serve as his counterpart. Tampa Bay has won six out of their past ten matches against Pittsburgh. However, the Pirates are more favorable to win here by the MLB betting predictions by the experts.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 6:40 PM ET
Location: Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, FL
TV: Bally Sports Sun
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays 5/2/23 Betting Odds
Pirates
Moneyline: TBD
Spread: TBD
Total: 7.5 over (-105)
Rays
Moneyline: TBD
Spread: TBD
Total: 7.5 under (-115)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays Analysis
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made an excellent start to this year’s season, winning four out of their last five matches. They currently lead the National League Central and will look to extend their lead with another victory against the Rays – one which would mark their fifth triumphant win out of eight games played this season. Pittsburgh is currently averaging 5.38 runs per game and boasting the fifth-best batting average of 0.264. Their on base percentage stands at 0.343 and their slugging percentage sits at 0.449; these marks rank them fourth and second, respectively. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with an 0.320 batting average and 23 RBI while Jack Suwinski holds the team home run record with six homers. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been solid, giving up an average of 3.72 runs per game. Opponents have posted an average of 0.240 against the Pirates, which ranks 15th in MLB. Their 3.55 ERA ranks seventh, while their 1.30 WHIP ranks sixteenth. Contreras had an outstanding outing against the Dodgers last time out, giving up just two hits and no runs in six innings for an 8-1 win – something they need him to repeat to claim another victory.
In their last game, the Tampa Bay Rays saw their three-game win streak snapped by the Pirates. After suffering their third loss in five games, they will look to rebound with a victory against the Pirates and record their fourth win of 2018. Tampa Bay is currently averaging 6.72 runs per game. Their batting average of 0.281 leads the league. Their 0.351 on base percentage leads the league, as does their 0.528 slugging percentage. Randy Arozarena has been one of the Rays’ biggest contributors. He leads their lineup with a 0.327 batting average, seven homers, and 28 RBI. Tampa Bay boasts some of the top pitching in the league, allowing an average of just 3.17 runs per game. Opponents currently boast a 0.209 batting average against the Rays, leading the league. Their 3.10 ERA ranks first, as does their 1.11 WHIP. Fleming struggled in his last start against Washington and allowed 10 hits and five runs over three innings, but was still able to lead his team to a 10-6-4 victory. If they want to win this game, they will require an improved performance from him.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays Against the Spread
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games. Pittsburgh are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games. Pittsburgh are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against Tampa Bay. Pittsburgh are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road. Pittsburgh are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games against Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay are 14-2 SU in their last 16 games at home. Tampa Bay are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games played in May.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays Free Pick
The Pirates have found success over their last four games and five of six road contests. On offense, they’ve been scoring runs efficiently with 22 total scored over these three road outings. MLB online forums anticipate they will do well in this game as they have hit over 0.290 against left-handed pitching so far this season and Fleming, who has mostly been used as a bullpen arm, struggled in his one start against lowly Nationals giving up five runs over three innings; so expect him to have difficulty holding back the Pirates this time around.
Free Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates ML
