In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Rockies prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, March 29th, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Colorado Rockies Betting Preview
The Colorado Rockies ended the previous season with the worst record in the National League and the second-worst in Major League Baseball, achieving only 61 wins against 101 losses. It appears that the prospects for improvement are slim for the Rockies this year, and it would not be surprising if they once again occupy the last position in the National League. They had a 2-0 lead entering the 7th inning in Tampa last night in the opener and lost 3-2 because of bad managerial decisions and a poor bullpen. Kyle Freeland had an excellent start and didn’t allow a run on two hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over 6.0 innings, but his bullpen and teammates spoiled it for him. The Rockies will play against the Phillies after this series.
Last season, the Rockies averaged 4.21 runs per game (19th in the MLB) on a .242/.304/.400 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, Colorado’s staff had a 5.47 ERA (30th) and 1.52 WHIP (30th). Ezequiel Tovar led the Rockies with a .269 batting average, 26 home runs, and 78 RBI last season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Rockies is Antonio Senzatela, who went 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP over 12.1 innings pitched in 2024. Senzatela started just five games in the last two years, as he missed a lot of time with severe injuries.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays did not qualify for the playoffs last season, ending with an 80-82 record. This performance left them six wins ahead of the Blue Jays and 14 games behind the Yankees, who were the champions of the division. The Rays were pretty powerless against Freeland in the opening six innings, managing to hit the ball just two times, but they exploited the worst bullpen in baseball to overcome the Rockies and secure a W with a walk-off homer from Kameron Misner, the first of his MLB career.
Last year, the Rays averaged 3.73 runs per game (29th in the MLB) on a .230/.302/.366 slash line. The Rays’ pitching staff had a 3.77 ERA (9th) and 1.20 WHIP (4th). Yandy Diaz was the best offensive player for the Rays, with a .281 batting average, 14 home runs, and 65 RBI last season.
Zack Littell will take the mound for the Rays on Saturday. The 29-year-old right-hander had an 8-10 record in 2024 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 156.1 innings.
Why the Rockies will beat the Rays
- The Rays have lost three of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a home win.
- The Rockies have won four of their last six games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Rockies have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games following a loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line each of their last five day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The Rockies have led after 5 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs.
Why the Rays will beat the Rockies
- The Rays have won seven of their last eight games against the Rockies following a win.
- The Rockies have lost each of their last four games.
- The Rays have covered the run line in six of their last seven home games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
- The Rockies have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four road games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rockies have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games against NL West opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last five games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Three of the Rockies’ last four day games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the Rays’ last 12 home games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in three of the Rockies’ last four games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
Rays vs Rockies Prediction
The Rays won nine of the previous ten H2H encounters, including six of the last seven. Zack Littell has been rock-solid against the Rockies’ batters in his career (.135 BA); he allowed just two RBI (one homer) in 37 at-bats. I am not worried about him. The one who worries me is Senzatela. He has struggled with injuries over the past two years, and I am not sure for how long Bud Black will keep him on the mound. Even if Senzatela pitches well, I don’t think he will stay for more than four innings. The bullpen is a massive problem for the Rockies, and the Rays will probably destroy it once again. I am going with Over, which looks to me as a better option than Tampa’s win, given the odds.