In this article, we will formulate a Diamondbacks vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, April 24, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (10-14, 1-4 Away) lost back-to-back home series to the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, and they lost the opening game of the current series in Arizona, but responded with a 7-6 extra-inning win. Yandy Diaz led the team with three RBI, while Taj Bradley pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Pete Fairbanks was credited with the win.
This year, the Rays average 4.25 runs per game (17th in the MLB) on a .256/.323/.398 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.76 ERA (9th) and 1.18 WHIP (9th). Jonathan Aranda leads the Rays with a .338 batting average, four home runs, and 13 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Rays is Drew Rasmussen, who is 1-1 in four starts this season, with a 0.87 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 20.2 innings.
Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview
The Arizona Diamondbacks (14-10, 7-5 Home) returned home from two series against the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs. After sweeping the Marlins, the D-backs lost two out of three to the Cubs, and then beat the Rays in Game 1 of this series before losing Game 2 in extra innings. Corbin Carroll blasted a couple of homers and added three RBI to lead his offense, while Eduardo Rodriguez pitched for 6.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Drey Jameson took the loss.
This season, the Diamondbacks average 5.46 runs per game (3rd in the MLB) on a .250/.340/.445 slash line. Regarding pitching, the Diamondbacks’ staff has a 4.31 ERA (20th) and 1.21 WHIP (11th). Corbin Carroll leads the Diamondbacks with a .327 batting average, nine home runs, and 22 RBI this season.
Corbin Burnes will take the mound for the D-backs on Thursday. The 30-year-old right-hander has a 0-1 record in four starts this year with a 4.64 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 21.1 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Ten of the Diamondbacks’ last 12 games following an extra innings loss have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rays’ last five games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Diamondbacks’ last seven home games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 14 of the Rays’ last 17 night games against National League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Diamondbacks rank 3rd in the league for RBIs this season (127).
- The Diamondbacks rank 3rd in the league for slugging percentage this season (.445).
- The Rays are one of only five teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
- The Rays are one of only five teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
Diamondbacks vs Rays Prediction
The Rays won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including six of the last seven. Drew Rasmussen has been fantastic early in the season, as he has not allowed more than a run in any of his starts. Even if he struggles a bit on Thursday, I don’t think he will let more than two or three runs in the opening five or six innings. Rasmussen allowed a .200 BA in 20 at-bats against the Diamondbacks, while Corbin Burnes allowed a .204 BA in 49 at-bats against the Rays. I am going with a low-scoring affair, thus I am backing Under.