The Tampa Bay Rays (51-22) are on the road to face the San Diego Padres (33-36) at Petco Park on Saturday. The Rays took Friday’s series opener 6-2.
Starter Shane McClanahan went 6.2 innings for the win, allowing one run on three hits, and Pete Fairbanks pitched 0.2 scoreless innings to earn his seventh save.
Randy Arozarena was 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in the win. Isaac Paredes added a solo home run. Nelson Cruz went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Zach Eflin (8-2, 3.28 ERA) is set for the start for Tampa Bay. The righty is tied for third in the AL in wins. Eflin allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Athletics on Monday. He took the loss, giving up five hits while striking out six and walking two.
Eflin is making his first appearance against the Padres this season. Over two starts against the Padres in 2022, Eflin was 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings. He had eight strikeouts and two walks. Lefty Blake Snell (2-6, 3.78 ERA) gets the start for San Diego.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. In his last start on Sunday, Snell took a no-decision on the road against the Rockies. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out 12, in the 5-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.6, while slashing worse across the board (.262/.322/.435). Against left-handed pitchers like Snell this season, the Rays have ann .870 OPS, second highest in MLB.
Wander Franco is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .955 OPS in 53 at-bats. San Diego is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.2 for the season.
The Padres have a .690 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .955 OPS over 158 at-bats, Juan Soto has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 20-15 in 2023. The Rays have scored 5.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.7 runs.
San Diego has gone 17-20 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In seven games at Petco Park between the teams, Tampa Bay is 6-1 with an average scoreline of 6.1-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by six games over the Orioles. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, eight games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Over 8.5 Runs (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
