Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Tampa Bay Rays (37-40) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-39) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Sunday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 1-1

The Pirates picked up a 4-3 victory on Saturday as a slight underdog (-106) to level the series 1-1, setting up a rubber game on Sunday afternoon. The Rays won the series opener 10-3 Friday night, cashing as a slight favorite (-127) as the Over (9) cashed.

Tampa Bay had a 3-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, but it is still a respectable 4-2 in the past 6 games, including 5-0 on the run line as an underdog, including 3 outright wins. The Over is 6-2 in the past 8 games for the Rays.

The Bucs are a solid 4-2 in the previous 6 contests, but they’re just 1-3 straight-up in the past 4 times as a favorite. Pittsburgh is also just 1-5 in the past 6 as a favorite on the run line. The Under is on a 5-1 run for the Pirates, while going 11-3 in the past 14 contests.

Rays at Pirates projected starters

RHP Aaron Civale vs. RHP Paul Skenes

Civale (2-5, 5.42 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.39 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 76 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-6 road loss vs. Minnesota Twins Tuesday
  • 2024 road splits: 1-2, 6.75 ERA (33 1/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.71 WHIP, .308 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 4 HR, 13 BB, 29 K in 7 starts

Skenes (4-0, 2.29 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9 in 39 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-1 home victory vs. Cincinnati Reds last Monday
  • 2024 home splits: 2-0, 3.43 ERA (21 IP, 8 ER), 1.38 WHIP, .286 OBA, 3 HR, 5 BB, 25 K in 4 starts

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Rays at Pirates odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:09 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Pirates -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-155) | Pirates -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Rays at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 5, Rays 2

Moneyline

The PIRATES (-160) are a solid play behind the rookie Skenes in this matinee action.

While the Bucs are a little on the chalky side, and Skenes actually has much better splits on the road than at home, he and the Pirates are a solid play against the struggling Rays (+135).

Tampa Bay has been contending in recent seasons, but it is 3 games under .500 and struggling to stay out of the basement in the AL East this season.

Run line/Against the spread

The PIRATES -1.5 (+125) are worth a look, if you’re a little less conservative. At plus-money, the Bucs are a nice play behind Skenes, especially since Civale has been so giving on the road this season for the Rays +1.5 (-155).

Over/Under

UNDER 7.5 (-105) is a strong play, mainly because Skenes is on the bump in this series finale. The risk is with Civale, as he has a 6.75 ERA in 33 1/3 IP. The total has ended up going low in 5 of the past 8 games for the Rays with Civale on the bump.

For the Pirates, the Under is 5-1 in the past 6 games, and 11-3 in the past 14 contests. With Skenes on the hill, the Over cashed in his first 5 starts, with the Bucs scoring 45 runs of offensive support. The Under is 2-0 in his past 2 outings, with the Pirates outscoring the opposition 6-2.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Tampa Bay Rays (37-39) and Pittsburgh Pirates (36-39) meet Saturday for the 2nd game of a 3-game series. First pitch from PNC Park is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (MLB.TV Free Game of the Day). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tampa Bay leads 1-0

Tampa Bay routed the Pirates 10-3 Friday while cashing as a -127 road favorite. The Rays jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning and never trailed at any point. Tampa Bay had 17 hits to Pittsburgh’s 5 and 29 total bases to Pittsburgh’s 9.

Tampa Bay has won 3 consecutive games, while the Pirates are 1-2 in their last 3 outings.

Rays at Pirates projected starters

RHP Zach Eflin vs. RHP Jared Jones

Eflin (3-4, 4.12 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 0.6 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 74 1/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 8-6 win at Atlanta Braves Sunday
  • Career vs. Pittsburgh: 2-1, 1.35 ERA (20 IP, 3 ER), 0.55 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 3 starts, including 1-0 with 0.00 ERA (7 IP) in 1 start last season

Jones (4-6, 3.76 ERA) makes his 15th start. The rookie has a 1.13 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 79 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 K in 16-4 defeat at Colorado Rockies June 15
  • Has never faced Rays before

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Rays at Pirates odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:27 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Pirates -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+155) | Pirates +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -125 | U: -105)

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Rays at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 3, Pirates 2

Moneyline

BET RAYS (-105).

Tampa Bay is 3-0 in its last 3 games, while the Pirates are only 1-2. The Rays are also 6-4 in their last 10 games, while Pittsburgh is 5-5. Tampa Bay has won 7 straight games vs. Pittsburgh and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

I like the Pirates to cover here, as I don’t see them getting blown out in back-to-back home games vs. Tampa Bay, but the line is too risky to bet on as set at +1.5 (-190). Bet on the moneyline and/or O/U instead.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 8 (-105).

The Under has hit in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games and is 8-2 in its last 10. For Pittsburgh, the Under is also 3-1 in its last 4 home games. The Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 Rays-Pirates matchups in Pittsburgh and is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings overall.

Be aware that the Over is 6-4 in Pittsburgh’s last 10 outings.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
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