Two of the best lineups in baseball are set to square off at Tropicana Field on Friday as the Tampa Bay Rays (57-33) host the Atlanta Braves (58-28) to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Braves are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Guardians, taking the finale 8-1 on Wednesday at Progressive Field.
Sean Murphy was 4 for 5 with a home run and a double. He scored three runs and drove in two. Matt Olson went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.
The Rays are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Phillies, dropping the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Tropicana Field for their fifth straight loss.
Isaac Paredes went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time since July 18, 2021, when the Rays finished off a 2-1 series win with a 7-5 victory at Truist Park.
ON THE MOUND
Charlie Morton (8-6, 3.57 ERA) is set for the start for Atlanta. The right-hander threw 5.2 scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-0 road win over the Marlins on Saturday.
He earned the win, giving up four hits while striking out five and walking one. Righty Tyler Glasnow (2-2, 4.50 ERA) gets the ball for Tampa Bay.
In his last start on Saturday, Glasnow took the loss on the road against the Mariners. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out 11 and walking one in the 8-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Atlanta offense is averaging 5.7 runs per game for the season, second best in MLB, with a slash line of .274/.342/.499. Five Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (1.008).
The right fielder is slashing .337/.414/.594 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 78 runs over 86 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Glasnow this season, the Braves have a .821 OPS, the highest in the league. Olson is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.024 OPS in 242 at-bats.
Tampa Bay is slashing .260/.332/.455 for the season and averaging 5.5 runs per game, third-best in MLB. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (.896).
The third baseman has 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 56 runs scored with a slash line of .310/.399/.496. Tampa Bay is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.175/.230/.313).
The Rays have a .785 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third highest in the league. With a .972 OPS over 182 at-bats, Luke Raley has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is 28-13 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Tampa Bay has lost three in a row at home. The Rays are 34-13 at home this season, averaging 5.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.8.
In the last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field, each club has won five, though Tampa Bay has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by eight games over the Marlins. The Rays are first in the AL East, zero games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
