Two of the league’s most productive offenses are set to face off at Chase Field on Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Rays (54-27) are on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks (47-32) to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Rays are embarking on a six-game road trip after closing out a six-game homestand (3-3). They split their last series against the Royals, taking the finale 3-1 on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Yandy Diaz was 4 for 4 with one run. Jose Siri added a home run and two runs.
The Diamondbacks are back home after a seven-game road trip (4-3). They lost two of three against the Giants in their last series, taking the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Oracle Park.
Ketel Marte’s on-base streak is up to 19 games as he went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Alek Thomas went 3 for 4 with a double and one run.
The teams are meeting for the first time since May 8, 2019, when the Diamondbacks avoided a three-game series sweep with a 3-2 extra-innings win at Tropicana Field.
ON THE MOUND
Taj Bradley (5-3, 3.86 ERA) is set to start for Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 7-2 road win over the Orioles on Wednesday. He earned the win, giving up three hits while striking out eight.
RHP Zac Gallen (9-2, 2.84 ERA) will toe the rubber for Arizona. In his last start on Wednesday, Gallen got the win on the road against the Brewers.
He threw seven innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out four and walking one in the 5-1 triumph. The RHP is tied for the NL lead in wins and is tied for fourth in strikeouts (104) and fifth in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The Tampa Bay offense is averaging 5.6 runs per game for the season, second best in MLB, with a slash line of .266/.339/.463. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Diaz (.922).
The third baseman is slashing .316/.404/.518 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 51 runs over 66 games. Against righties like Gallen this season, the Rays have a .799 OPS, second highest in MLB.
Luke Raley is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .936 OPS in 157 at-bats. Arizona is slashing .264/.331/.437 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game, fifth best in MLB.
Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Corbin Carroll (.927). The center fielder has 16 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 59 runs scored with a slash line of .290/.369/.558.
The D-backs have a .780 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth highest in the league. With a .998 OPS over 204 at-bats, Carroll also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 20-17 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Arizona has gone 23-18 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.6.
In the last 10 meetings at Chase Field, each club has won five, though Tampa Bay has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.6-5.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles. The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by two games over the Giants.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Under 8.5 Runs (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
