In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Rockies prediction for this MLB game on Friday, March 28th at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays were 80-82 last season, and they finished fourth in the AL East, 14 games behind the Yankees and six games ahead of the Blue Jays. Tampa Bay did a decent job of battling in the AL Wild Card race, but they ended up six games behind the Tigers for the last spot, with three other teams in front of them. The Rays finished the regular season in 2024 by playing pretty well, as they won nine of their last 16 games, including a series win over Boston to end the season. In Spring Training, the Rays went 12-13, which was 10th in the Grapefruit League, and they finished by going 4-5-2 in their last 11 games.
Last season, the Tampa Bay pitching staff had a 3.77 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while the offense scored 604 runs with a .230 batting average and a .302 on-base percentage. Tampa Bay had a very solid pitching staff in 2024, but they were just 29th in the MLB in runs scored and 28th in home runs hit. The Rays were led by Brandon Lowe, who hit .244 with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs last year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ryan Pepiot, who went 8-8 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 130.0 innings for the Rays last year.
Colorado Rockies Betting Preview
The Colorado Rockies went 61-101 last year, and they finished last in the NL West standings. The Rockies were 37 games behind the Dodgers last season, and they were 19 games behind the Giants for fourth in the division. Colorado never had a chance in the NL Wild Card race last season, as they finished last in the National League, and they were 28 games out of the last wild card spot. The Rockies didn’t do much right last season, and they finished by losing eight of their last ten games. In Spring Training, Colorado went 17-15, which was eighth in the Cactus League, and they finished by splitting their last eight games.
Last year, the Colorado pitching staff had a 5.47 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and a .285 opponent batting average, while the offense scored 682 runs with a .242 batting average and a .304 on-base percentage. Colorado was 19th in runs scored, but their pitching staff failed them, as they were dead last in team ERA. The Rockies were led by Ezequiel Tovar, who hit .269 with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs last year. The projected starting pitcher for Colorado is Kyle Freeland, who went 5-8 with a 5.24 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 113.1 innings pitched last year.
Why the Rays will beat the Rockies
- The Rays have won each of their last four home games.
- The Rockies have lost each of their last six Friday day road games.
- The Rays have covered the run line in six of their last seven home games against NL West opponents.
- The Rockies have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home openers.
- The Rockies have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven Friday games as road underdogs.
- The Rockies have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against American League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rockies’ last five road games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last nine home games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rockies’ last six day games against AL East opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in three of the Rays’ last four games as favorites against NL opponents.
- Danny Jansen has hit a home run in four of his last 10 appearances against NL West opponents.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances with the Rays as home favorites against NL West opponents.
- Brandon Lowe has scored at least one run in each of his last four home appearances against NL West opponents.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven appearances against NL opponents.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against NL West opponents.
Colorado Rockies Player Prop Facts
- Ryan McMahon has recorded a Double in each of the Rockies’ last three season openers.
- Jacob Stallings has scored a run in each of his last four appearances in day games.
- Jacob Stallings has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances.
- Thairo Estrada has recorded a Single in each of his last four appearances against the Rays.
- Thairo Estrada has hit at least one home run in each of his two previous appearances with his team as a road underdog against the Rays.
- German Marquez has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances with the Rockies as underdogs.
Rays vs Rockies Prediction
Colorado comes into this season looking to find some improvement after last year’s disaster, but they will be facing a solid pitcher here. Tampa Bay will have Pepiot on the mound, who had a very good 2024 season. The Rays hovered right around the .500 mark last season and should be about the same this year. These two teams have opposite strengths, as Tampa Bay has a good pitching staff, while Colorado is expected to have one of the bottom team ERAs once again this year. Take the Rays -1.5. here.