The Tampa Bay Rays (57-29) are on the road to face the Seattle Mariners (39-42) at T-Mobile Park on Sunday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Mariners evened the series 1-1 after winning 8-3 on Saturday. George Kirby went seven innings, giving up two runs on two hits and striking out seven, to get the win, and Paul Sewald pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up his 15th save.
J.P. Crawford went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Yandy Diaz was 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Rays, stretching his on-base streak to 12 games.
ON THE MOUND
Taj Bradley (5-4, 4.58 ERA) is in line for the start for Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed seven runs (six earned) over four innings in his last start, an 8-4 home defeat against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out two and walking one. For Seattle, RHP Luis Castillo (5-6, 2.86 ERA) gets the start.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. Castillo made one start against the Rays in 2022, throwing seven innings for the Reds in a 2-1 home win on July 8. He gave up four hits and walked one while striking out eight in the no-decision.
In his last start on Monday, Castillo got the win at home against the Nationals. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on seven hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 8-4 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged 6.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.6. Against right-handed pitchers like Castillo this season, the Rays have a .794 OPS, second highest in the league.
Josh Lowe is the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .528 SLG in 174 at-bats. Seattle is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.5 for the season.
The M’s have a .695 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .818 OPS over 180 at-bats, Crawford has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 23-19 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Seattle has gone 23-20 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.0.
In the last 10 games between the teams at T-Mobile Park, Seattle is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Tampa Bay (5.2-4.9).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by six games over the Orioles. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, 10 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (+115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
