Tampa Bay Rays vs NY Mets Prediction 5-3-24 Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Rays vs NY Mets Prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 3rd at Tropicana Field. 

Mets Move Back Above .500

It took a comeback on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, but the Mets were able to secure the 7-6 victory and move back above .500. It took three runs in the bottom of the 6th, and two more runs in the 11th to secure the win. Francisco Lindor came in as a pinch hitter and he had a huge game, finishing with two hits and four RBIs. The Mets are averaging 4.35 runs, while their pitching is giving up 4.13 runs per game. The offense is ranked 17th in the league, while the pitching is ranked 13th. They are averaging 1.03 home runs per game which is 12th in the league. Getting the start for the Mets will be Jose Quintana who sits with a 1-2 record and an ERA of 3.48. In his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals, he went eight innings, giving up three hits and one run. Quintana is going to need to have a huge game to really put the pressure on the Rays. 

Rays Have Been Blown Out in the Last Two Games

The Rays have been blown out in the last two games against the Milwaukee Brewers, and they can’t have much confidence right now. Two games ago they were defeated 8-2 and in the last game, they were defeated 7-1. Starting pitcher Zach Eflin went 5.2 innings, giving up six hits and three runs. The Rays are going to need better pitching here or this is going to be a long game. The Rays are averaging 3.75 runs, while their pitching is giving up 5.09 runs per game. The offense is ranked 23rd in the league while the defense is ranked 25th. They are averaging 0.81 home runs per game, which is 25th in the league. Getting the start for the Rays will be Aaron Civale who sits with a 2-2 record and an ERA of 5.06. In his last start against the White Sox, he went 4.1 innings giving up eight hits and six earned runs. Civale will need to be better or this will be a long game. 

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

• The Rays have lost each of their last five games as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last 11 games at Tropicana Field.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games as favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last seven night games between the Mets and Rays.

New York Mets Team Facts

• The Mets have lost each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Mets have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Mets have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mets’ last four road games.

Tampa Bay Rays vs NY Mets Prediction

This game is going to come down to the pitching, and I believe the Mets have a big advantage. Civale is on the mound for the Rays, and he sits with an ERA of 5.06. In his last start he got blown up and he gave up six earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Mets offense was good on Thursday and they are going to continue the success scoring here. The Rays offense hasn’t been great this season and they aren’t going to be running up the score. Back the Mets on the money line to cash here.