Free MLB Picks Today: Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay Rays 6/30/23

The Tampa Bay Rays (56-28) take one of the top lineups in MLB on the road to face the Seattle Mariners (38-41) at T-Mobile Park on Friday to open a three-game series.

The Rays are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Diamondbacks, taking the finale 6-1 on Thursday at Chase Field. Luke Raley was 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs.

The Mariners are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Nationals in their last series, dropping the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.

Jose Caballero went 2 for 3 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Rays won five of the seven games between the teams, including three out of four in their most recent meeting at T-Mobile Park in May.

ON THE MOUND

Shane McClanahan (11-1, 2.23 ERA) is slated for the start for Tampa Bay. The left-hander leads the league in ERA and is tied for first in wins. McClanahan allowed two runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 6-5 road defeat against the Royals on June 22. He gave up four hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.

McClanahan made one start against the Mariners in 2022, a 4-3 road victory on May 5. He surrendered two runs on three hits over 5.1 innings, striking out five and walking two.

For Seattle, right-hander Bryce Miller (5-3, 3.88 ERA) is on the mound. In his last start on Saturday, Miller took a no-decision on the road against the Orioles. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out four and walking three in the 6-4 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Tampa Bay offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, second best in MLB, with a slash line of .264/.336/.459. Yandy Diaz leads the team in OPS at .928. The third baseman is slashing .322/.407/.521 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 53 runs over 69 games.

Over the last five games, though, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.0 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.221/.274/.356). Against righties like Miller this season, the Rays have a .791 OPS, second highest in the league. Diaz also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .920 OPS in 203 at-bats.

Seattle is slashing .229/.307/.386 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Jarred Kelenic leads the team with a .775 OPS. The center fielder has 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 34 runs scored with a slash line of .247/.326/.449.

The M’s have a .689 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .903 OPS over 66 at-bats, Kelenic also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is 22-18 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Seattle has gone 22-19 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.8.

In the last 10 meetings at T-Mobile Park, each club has won five, though Seattle has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-4.0.