Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (1-3)
Game Info: Monday, March 31, 2025 at 7:05 pm (George M. Steinbrenner Field)
The Line: Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -180 / Pittsburgh Pirates +150 — Over/Under: 8
In this article, we will formulate a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction for this MLB game on Monday, March 31st, at the George M. Steinbrenner Field. To formulate this prediction, we will look at:
-The Pirates’ recent form and recent player performance
-The Rays’ recent form and recent player performance
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Pittsburgh
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Tampa Bay
-Recent betting trends in games played between Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay
-A summary that ties it all together produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Pirates and Rays.
Slow Start for the Pirates
It was quite a slow start for the Pirates against the Miami Marlins, and they won only one of the games. On Sunday, the pitching was good, but the offense only managed two runs, and that led to the defeat. Andrew McCutchen was the only bright spot, hitting a home run and driving in the one run. Andrew Heaney was on the mound, and he went five innings, giving up four hits and one run. Each of the first four games has been decided by a run, they just haven’t hit the shots late.
Carmen Mlodzinski will start for the Pirates, and they hope he can build on last year’s success. He finished with a 5-5 record and an ERA of 3.38 last year. No one has driven in more than two runs so far this season.
Why the Pirates Will Beat the Rays
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against National League opponents following a win.
- The Pirates have won four of their last five games as underdogs against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 14 of their last 16 games as home favorites following a win.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last five games against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in three of their last four road games.
Rays Picked up Another Win
The Rays haven’t had a perfect start to the season, but they have won two of the three games against the Rockies and picked up another win in the last game. The Rays scored six runs on Sunday, and the offense got going early in the first inning. They never looked back on the way to the win. Brandon Lowe hit a home run and drove in two RBIs. The loss came on Saturday, and the offense managed only one run, and they were knocked off.
Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays. Last season, in only nine appearances, he finished with an 0-2 record and an ERA of 2.83. The offense hasn’t had a star, and no one has driven in more than two RBIs.
Why the Rays Will Beat the Pirates
- The Pirates have lost 11 of their last 12 night games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have won eight of their last nine games against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have covered the run line in six of their last seven games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last nine night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
This total is too high. The Rays have been winning, but I don’t exactly trust their offense, and I believe that Mlodzinski can really step up. For the Rays, they send Rasmussen, and he’s going to be strong, much like he was last year. Both pitchers will keep this game in the ballpark, and there won’t be any big innings. The only real concern should be if this game gets to extra innings and the runs are piled on then. I don’t think that happens, and the under will end up hitting here.