Two of baseball’s highest-scoring lineups are set to face off at Tropicana Field on Friday as the Tampa Bay Rays (37-15) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-20) for the opener of a three-game Interleague series. The Dodgers are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip.
They won two out of three in their last series against the Braves, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at Truist Park. Miguel Vargas was 2 for 3 with a double and one RBI.The Rays are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand.
They won three of four against the Blue Jays in their last series, taking the finale 6-3 on Thursday at Tropicana Field. Wander Franco went 1 for 2 with a triple and two runs, walking twice.
Randy Arozarena added one run and two RBIs on two hits. The teams are meeting for the first time since the 2020 National League World Series, which the Dodgers won in six games.
ON THE MOUND
Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 5.88 ERA) is in line for the start for Los Angeles. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 home defeat against the Cardinals on Saturday.
He scattered four hits while striking out four and walking one in the no-decision. Syndergaard made one start against the Rays in 2022, an 11-3 home victory for the Angels on May 9. He surrendered one run on seven hits over 5.1 innings, striking out seven and walking one.
For Tampa Bay, left-hander Jalen Beeks (1-2, 4.68 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Sunday, Beeks took a no-decision at home against the Brewers. He threw two innings and gave up one run on one hit, striking out three and walking two in the 6-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, third best in the league, with a slash line of .236/.326/.450. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.956). The first baseman is slashing .325/.399/.557 with nine home runs, 31 RBIs, and 42 runs over 51 games.
Against southpaws like Beeks this season, the Dodgers have a .737 OPS. Mookie Betts is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .976 OPS in 47 at-bats. Tampa Bay is slashing .271/.346/.501 for the season and averaging 6.0 runs per game, second best in the league.
Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (1.024). The third baseman has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 35 runs scored with a slash line of .322/.425/.599.
Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.234/.316/.443). The Rays have ann .824 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.038 OPS over 123 at-bats, Diaz also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 14-13 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 5.5 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 24-5 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 5.7 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. In the last 10 games between the teams at Tropicana Field, each club has won five, though Tampa Bay has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.8-5.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by one games over the Diamondbacks. The Rays lead the AL East by three games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Over 9 Runs (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
