Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/3/23

The Pittsburgh Pirates (20-10) will have their work cut out for them against Shane McClanahan at Tropicana Field on Wednesday when the impressive left-hander takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays (24-6).

The Rays took Tuesday’s series opener 4-1, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Colin Poche got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Jason Adam struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first save of the season. Harold Ramirez went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Ke’Bryan Hayes was 1 for 5 with one run for the Pirates.

ON THE MOUND

Mitch Keller (3-0, 3.53 ERA) is slated for the start for Pittsburgh. The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 6-2 road win over the Dodgers on Thursday. He got the win, yielding five hits while striking out 10 and walking one. Keller is making his first appearance against the Rays this season.

Keller made one start against the Rays in 2022, a 4-3 road loss on June 24. He surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one. For Tampa Bay, LHP McClanahan (5-0, 2.12 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. McClanahan made one start against the Pirates in 2022, throwing seven innings in a 4-2 home win on June 26. He gave up four hits while striking out 10 in the win.In his last start on Thursday,

McClanahan got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 14-5 victory. The lefty is tied for the MLB lead in wins. He also ranks fifth in the AL in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 6.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.2. Against southpaws like McClanahan this season, the Bucs have ann .818 OPS, fourth highest in the league.

Connor Joe is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.315 OPS in 27 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging 8.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 6.6 for the season, with a higher slash line (.299/.365/.592).

The Rays have an .862 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in MLB. With a .667 slugging percentage over 73 at-bats, Josh Lowe has been their best power hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 11-6 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 3.3 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 15-2 at Tropicana Field this season, averaging 6.2 runs per game while surrendering 2.4. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.8.