The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Arizona Diamondbacks prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Rays vs Diamondbacks pick.
Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview
The Diamondbacks played the Colorado Rockies in their last series. Arizona managed a sweep in that one, taking wins 5-4, 4-3 and 11-4. In the finale the Diamondbacks got a homer and five RBI among Eugenio Suarez’s three hits.
In the starter slot for the Diamondbacks on Friday the team didn’t immediately announce a name.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Over on the Rays’ side, they took on the Houston Astros this week. Tampa Bay was involved in a sweep as well, but came out on the losing end 6-1, 3-2 and 2-1. Starting pitcher Zack Littell finished with 5.0 innings and one earned in the finale loss.
Ryan Pepiot will take the starter slot for the Rays on Friday. This year Pepiot is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts. Pepiot is 11-6 with a 3.37 ERA in 34 career games (27 starts).
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last six home games following an extra innings loss have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Diamondbacks’ last five games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last five night games against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four night games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six home appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded a Double in each of the Rays’ last three games against the Diamondbacks at Tropicana Field.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances against NL West opponents at Tropicana Field.
- Brandon Lowe has scored at least one run in six of his last seven appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in eight of his last nine home appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five home appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Jose Siri has hit a home run in each of his two previous appearances against the Diamondbacks after not playing the previous day.
Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts
- Gabriel Moreno has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in night games.
- Ketel Marte has recorded at least one RBI in seven of the Diamondbacks’ last eight games against AL opponents.
- Eugenio Suarez has recorded a Double in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four road games against AL opponents.
- Corbin Carroll has scored at least one run in each of the Diamondbacks’ last 10 Friday night games.
- Ketel Marte has hit a home run in five of the Diamondbacks’ last six road games against AL opponents.
- Gabriel Moreno has recorded at least one Single in eight of his last nine appearances in night games.
- Gabriel Moreno has recorded at least one total base in each of his last nine appearances in night games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction
I’ll stay with the Rays. Pepiot is returning after a short absence due to a knee issue. Prior to his departure Pepiot was pitching pretty well. He had just three earned in 15.2 innings on 10 hits and six walks across three starts, going 2-1 in that time.
The Rays need a good series here following that rough matchup with the Astros. Tampa Bay scored just four runs across three games, which makes two or fewer runs in five of the last six outings. Provided the Rays can get the bats going I think they’ll be in contention here.