The Oakland Athletics (19-51) host the Tampa Bay Rays (49-22) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Rays won 6-3 on Wednesday for their first win of the series, their fourth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Tyler Glasnow went 5.1 innings for the win, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out six, and Jason Adam earned his 11th save with a scoreless ninth.
Manuel Margot was 3 for 4 with three doubles, three runs, and one RBI in the win. Yandy Diaz also went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. JJ Bleday went 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs for the Athletics.
ON THE MOUND
Taj Bradley (4-3, 4.19 ERA) is in line to get the start for Tampa Bay. The righty allowed five runs (four earned) over 3.2 innings in his last start, an 8-4 road defeat against the Rangers on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, yielding four hits while striking out four and walking four.
For Oakland, right-hander Paul Blackburn (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. Blackburn made two appearances against the Rays in 2022, both starts, striking out 12 and walking two over 9.1 innings (1-0, 2.89).
In his last start on Saturday, Blackburn took a no-decision on the road against the Brewers. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out five and walking one in the 2-1 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.6, partial thanks to weaker slugging (.400 vs .470). Against righties like Blackburn this season, the Rays have a .791 OPS, the highest in MLB.
Diaz is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .977 OPS in 170 at-bats. Oakland is averaging 3.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.6 for the season.
The A’s have a .652 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the second lowest in MLB. With a .857 OPS over 167 at-bats, Ryan Noda has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 18-15 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Oakland has gone 9-25 at home this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Tampa Bay is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.2-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by five games over the Orioles. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 24 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays -1.5 (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
