The Tampa Bay Rays host the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 31. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT; the game will be broadcast on MLB.TV.
The Pirates opened the season by losing three of their first four games, all of which were by one run to the lowly Marlins. The Rays, meanwhile, christened their new home at George M. Steinbrenner Field by winning two of three against the Rockies.
Find my MLB betting preview and Pirates vs Rays prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
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- Pirates vs Rays picks: Rays -1.5 (+115)
My Pirates vs Rays best bet is backing Tampa Bay. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
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Pirates vs Rays Odds
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Pirates vs Rays Projected Starting Pitchers
Pirates vs Rays Pick, Betting Analysis
By Nick Galaida
Entering the new week, the Pirates bullpen is in terrible shape. They have used David Bednar, Colin Holderman and Caleb Ferguson in three of the last four days. Justin Lawrence appeared yesterday and the day before. Dennis Santana and Ryan Borucki weren’t used on Sunday, but they have each appeared in two games already this season.
It’s still early in the season, but the Pittsburgh offense has been underwhelming, as well, ranking 20th in wRC+, 20th in OPS and 26th in ISO against RHP over the weekend despite facing some underwhelming arms.
Tampa Bay’s offense leaves a lot to be desired too, but it has a significantly better starting pitcher in this game and a much more rested bullpen. If the Rays offense can get Carmen Mlodzinski out of the game by the fifth inning, they should have every opportunity to win this game (and perhaps comfortably).
Pick: Rays -1.5 (+115)
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Pirates vs Rays Betting Trends
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Pirates vs Rays starts at 7:05 p.m. EDT on Monday, live from George M. Steinbrenner Field. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV.
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