Hot-hitting Yandy Diaz will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Tampa Bay Rays (32-12) face off against the New York Mets (21-23) at Citi Field on Thursday with the three-game Interleague series in the balance. The Mets evened the series 1-1 after winning 8-7 in 10 innings on Wednesday.
David Robertson threw one inning out of the bullpen to get the win. Mark Vientos went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Brandon Lowe was 2 for 3 with a home run and a double for the Rays. He scored two runs and had two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Taj Bradley (3-0, 3.52 ERA) is in line to get the start for Tampa Bay. The RHP allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, an 8-3 road win over the Astros on April 24. He was credited with the win, yielding four hits while striking out six.
For New York, RHP Tylor Megill (4-2, 4.02 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. In his last start on Friday, Megill got the win on the road against the Nationals. He threw five innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on four hits, striking out four and walking four in the 3-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged 7.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 6.3. Against righties like Megill this season, the Rays have an .845 OPS, highest in the league.
Josh Lowe has been the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .613 slugging percentage in 113 at-bats. New York is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.3 for the season.
The Mets have a .710 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .850 OPS over 107 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 13-9 away from home in 2023, scoring 6.5 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. New York has gone 8-9 at Citi Field this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Tampa Bay is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citi Field with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by three games over the Orioles. The Mets are third in the NL East, six games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
