Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction MLB Picks 8/18/24

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 61-61 this year and they have lost three of their last five games. Tampa Bay has won the first two games in this series by scores of 5-4 and 6-1. Prior to this series, the Rays lost all three against the Astros, lost two out of three against the Orioles, and lost two out of three against the Cardinals. Tampa Bay is 4-7 in their last 11 games and they are fourth in the AL East. 

The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.93 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and a .241 opponent batting average. The Rays offense has scored 475 runs with a .233 batting average and a .309 on base percentage. Yandy Diaz is batting .273 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI’s for the Rays this season. 

Starting Pitchers

The projected starting pitcher for Arizona is Merrill Kelly, who is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP over 29.2 innings pitched this season. Kelly allowed two earned runs and three hits in five innings against the Phillies in his first start since April. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Taj Bradley, who is 6-7 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 95.1 innings pitched this season. Bradley has allowed at least four earned runs in three straight starts. 

Why the Diamondbacks will beat the Rays

• The Diamondbacks have won four of their last five day games after playing the previous day.
• The Rays have lost three of their last four games at Tropicana Field following a win.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 12 day games at Tropicana Field following a home win.
• The Diamondbacks have covered the run line in four of their last five games against AL East opponents following a loss.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Diamondbacks' last seven games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Rays' last five home games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the last four day games between the Diamondbacks and Rays.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Diamondbacks' last three games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Josh Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Rays' last four games against the Diamondbacks.
• Yandy Diaz has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances against the Diamondbacks.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded a Double in four of the Rays' last five games against the Diamondbacks at Tropicana Field.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one total base in each of his last eight appearances at Tropicana Field against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in each of the Rays' last two day games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances at Tropicana Field against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one Single in seven of his last eight appearances at Tropicana Field against NL opponents that held a winning record.

Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts

• Ketel Marte has hit a home run in six of his last eight appearances with the Diamondbacks against AL opponents.
• Ketel Marte has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six road appearances after playing the previous day.
• Jake McCarthy has recorded at least one Single in five of the Diamondbacks' last six games.
• Eugenio Suarez has recorded at least one total base in each of the Diamondbacks' last six games against AL opponents.
• Merrill Kelly has recorded a win in each of his last three road appearances.
• Ketel Marte has recorded at least one RBI in eight of his last 10 road appearances.
• Corbin Carroll has scored at least one run in seven of the Diamondbacks' last eight games.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 

Arizona comes into this game after losing the first two in this series, but they have still played very well over the last month. The Diamondbacks are 32-29 on the road this year, while the Rays are 33-34 at home. Tampa Bay has really struggled to score runs consistently for the most part this year, but they have hit the ball well in this series. The Rays are starting Taj Bradley, who has not looked very good in recent outings. The Diamondbacks are going with Merrill Kelly, who looked sharp in his return from the IL. My Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays prediction is for the Diamondbacks to avoid the sweep and get the win.