Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/2/23

Two of baseball’s top offenses are set to face off at Tropicana Field on Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-9) are on the road to face the Tampa Bay Rays (23-6) for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Pirates are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Nationals, dropping the finale 7-2 on Sunday at Nationals Park.

Bryan Reynolds was 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI. The Rays are playing the first of six games at home. They won three of four against the White Sox in their last series, dropping the finale 12-9 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Luke Raley went 2 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Taylor Walls went 4 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Rays won all three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Roansy Contreras (3-1, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for Pittsburgh. The righty threw six scoreless innings in his last start, an 8-1 home win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, giving up two hits while striking out five and walking two.

Contreras made one start against the Rays in 2022, a 4-2 road loss on June 26. He surrendered one run on four hits over five innings, striking out four and walking five. Righty Javy Guerra (0-0, 8.64 ERA) takes the mound in his first start of the season for Tampa Bay.

In his last appearance on April 23, Guerra pitched out of the bullpen at home against the Red Sox. He threw 1.2 innings and gave up five runs on four hits, striking out two and walking three in the 12-5 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 5.4 runs per game for the season, fifth best in the league, with a slash line of .264/.343/.449. Four Pirates hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Connor Joe (.962). The center fielder is slashing .288/.387/.575 with four home runs, 11 RBIs, and 18 runs over 24 games.

Over the last five games, though, Pittsburgh has averaged 7.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.315/.401/.512). Against right-handed pitchers like Guerra this season, the Bucs have a .775 OPS.

Jack Suwinski is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.118 OPS in 55 at-bats. Tampa Bay is slashing .281/.351/.528 for the season and averaging 6.7 runs per game, best in MLB. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (1.005).

The shortstop has seven home runs, 16 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .319/.420/.585. The Rays have ann .866 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.090 OPS over 72 at-bats, Diaz also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 11-5 away from PNC Park in 2023, scoring 5.9 runs per game while allowing 3.3 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 14-2 at home this season, averaging 6.4 runs per game while surrendering 2.5.

In nine meetings at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay is 5-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Pittsburgh (5.2-5.1).