Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/4/23

The Tampa Bay Rays (25-6) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-11) at Tropicana Field on Thursday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series. The Rays lead the series 2-0 after winning 8-1 on Wednesday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory.

Shane McClanahan went six innings for the win, giving up one run on five hits and striking out nine, and Chase Anderson threw three scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season.

Wander Franco went 2 for 5 with a home run, three runs, and two RBIs in the win. Andrew McCutchen was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Pirates.

ON THE MOUND

Vince Velasquez (4-2, 3.06 ERA) is set to take the mound for Pittsburgh. The RHP is tied for second in the NL in wins. Velasquez threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 16-1 road win over the Nationals on Saturday. He earned the win, giving up five hits while striking out five.

Velasquez is making his first appearance against the Rays this season. Velasquez made one start against the Rays in 2022, a 9-3 home loss for the White Sox on April 17. He surrendered four runs on five hits over 4.2 innings, striking out five and walking three.

Right-hander Zach Eflin (3-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on Friday, Eflin took a no-decision on the road against the White Sox. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking two in the 3-2 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.1. Against righties like Eflin this season, the Bucs have a .772 OPS. Bryan Reynolds is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a 1.118 OPS in 78 at-bats.

Tampa Bay is averaging 7.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 6.7 for the season. The Rays have ann .862 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. 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 on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 11-7 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 5.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.6 runs.

Tampa Bay has gone 16-2 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 6.3 runs per game while surrendering 2.3. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field with an average scoreline of 5.1-4.8.