Tyler Glasnow is in line for his first start of the season as the Tampa Bay Rays (38-15) match up against the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-21) at Tropicana Field on Saturday.
The Rays took Friday’s series opener 9-3. Cooper Criswell threw four innings of relief to get the win. Yandy Diaz’s on-base streak is now at 20 games as he went 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles in the win.
He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Christian Bethancourt also went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs, and one RBI. Will Smith was 2 for 3 with one RBI for the Dodgers.
ON THE MOUND
Clayton Kershaw (6-4, 2.98 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Los Angeles. The lefty is tied for the NL lead in wins and is fourth in strikeouts (69). Kershaw allowed four runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 10-5 road defeat against the Cardinals on Sunday.
He was charged with the loss, yielding five hits while striking out six and walking three. For Tampa Bay, RHP Glasnow gets the ball, his season debut. He was 0-0 over two starts last season with an ERA of 1.35. He struck out 10 and walked two over 6.2 innings.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 5.4 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against right-handed pitchers like Glasnow this season, the Dodgers have a .789 OPS, second highest in the league. Freddie Freeman is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .965 OPS in 139 at-bats.
Tampa Bay is averaging only 5.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 6.0 for the season. The Rays have a .964 OPS against left-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.035 OPS over 35 at-bats, Wander Franco has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 14-14 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 5.6 runs. Tampa Bay has won three in a row at home.
The Rays are 25-5 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. In the last 10 games at Tropicana Field between the teams, Tampa Bay is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.2-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by one games over the Diamondbacks. The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Over 7.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
