Rays vs Reds Prediction 4/22/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, April 22nd at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 12-11 this year after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 1-6 and 6-12. In game two, Tampa Bay allowed the first nine runs in the game and they never had a chance in the lopsided loss. The Rays recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Aranda, who went 1-3 with one home run and three RBIs. Matz allowed four hits and four earned runs over 3.0 innings for the loss, while Bigge allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost two out of three against the Pirates, but did win all three against the White Sox before that. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 4.86 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while they have scored 110 runs with a .255 batting average and a .331 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with four home runs and 19 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz has added three home runs and 17 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Nick Martinez, who is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 22.0 innings pitched this year. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 16-8 this season after they won game two by a score of 12-6 last night. Cincinnati led 9-0 in the sixth and 12-2 in the ninth, as they picked up a very easy victory. The Reds recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by De La Cruz, who went 3-6 with two home runs and five RBIs. Burns allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.2 innings for the win, while Nicolas allowed four earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Cincinnati won all three against the Twins and two out of three against the Giants. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 3.47 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and a .227 opponent batting average, while they have scored 96 runs with a .207 batting average and a .303 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with eight home runs and 24 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added eight home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Brandon Williamson, who is 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 20.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last eight day games against National League opponents following a home loss.
• The Reds have lost each of their last six Wednesday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against National League opponents following a home loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line each of their last six Wednesday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last five home day games.
• The Reds have lost the first inning in each of their last three day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home day games.

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last seven games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
• The Rays have lost eight of their last nine games as home favorites.
• The Reds have covered the run line each of their last nine road games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine Wednesday home games against National League opponents.
• The Rays have lost the first inning in each of their last four games.
• The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six games.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight road games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Rays’ last seven day games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Reds’ last four games as underdogs against the Rays have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Reds’ last eight games as underdogs.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last four games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last five games as favorites against the Reds.
• Chandler Simpson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 12 games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Yandy Diaz ranks T6th in the league in Hits (28) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in five of the Reds’ last nine day games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 18 road games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Sal Stewart ranks T3rd in the league in Home Runs (8) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Rays rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (160).
• The Rays rank T3rd in the league for triples this season (4).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.204).
• The Reds rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.332).

Rays vs Reds Prediction 

Cincinnati was able to extend their winning streak once again on Tuesday night and they have scored 5+ runs in four straight games. The Reds are 10-2 on the road this year, while the Rays are 4-4 at home. Tampa Bay has lost three in a row and they have allowed 24 runs during that span. The Rays are starting Martinez, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, while Williamson has allowed 1, 3, 0, and 6 earned runs in his four starts. I really like how Martinez is pitching this season, so give me the Rays here.