Rays vs. Pirates Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 6/26/2022

The Tampa Bay Rays (39-32), led by Isaac Paredes on a three-game home run streak, are -208 favorites on the moneyline to defeat Diego Castillo (homers in two straight contests) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (29-42). First pitch is at 1:40 PM ET on Sunday, live from Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan gets the start, and he’ll go against Pittsburgh’s Roansy Contreras.

Rays vs. Pirates Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Rays vs. Pirates

After taking a look at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup, our best bet is the Pirates on the moneyline at +176. Our computer prediction sees the scoring going over the total of 6.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (+176) and Over (6.5)

Rays vs. Pirates Game Info

• Tampa Bay Rays probable starting pitcher: Shane McClanahan
• Pittsburgh Pirates probable starting pitcher: Roansy Contreras
• Game Day: Sunday, June 26, 2022
• Game Time: 1:40 PM ET
• Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
• Stadium: Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching Matchup

Rays Starter Shane McClanahan

• The Rays are sending McClanahan (7-3) out to make his 15th start of the season. He is 7-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 113 strikeouts through 84 1/3 innings pitched.
• The left-hander’s last appearance was on Monday against the New York Yankees, when he threw 6 2/3 innings, surrendering one earned run while allowing four hits.
• In 14 games this season, the 25-year-old has amassed an ERA of 1.81, with 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .185 against him.
• McClanahan is looking to claim his ninth quality start in a row in this game.
• McClanahan is looking for his 13th straight outing lasting five or more innings. He averages 6.0 frames per appearance on the hill.
• He will face off against a Pirates offense that is batting .220 as a unit (28th in MLB). It is also slugging a collective .365 (28th in MLB) with 72 total home runs (17th in MLB).
• This season, the 25-year-old ranks first in ERA (1.81), first in WHIP (.854), and second in K/9 (12.1) among qualifying pitchers.

Pirates Starter Roansy Contreras

• The Pirates’ Contreras (2-1) will make his seventh start of the season.
• The right-hander’s last appearance was on Tuesday, when he threw 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs, giving up one earned run while allowing four hits.
• The 22-year-old has an ERA of 2.89 and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings with an opponent batting average of .236 in nine games this season.
• None of Contreras’ six starts this season have met the criteria for a quality start.
• In six starts this season, Contreras has lasted five or more innings four times, with an average of 4.0 innings per appearance.
• The Rays have scored 288 runs this season, which ranks 24th in MLB. They are batting .233 for the campaign with 67 home runs, 21st in the league.

Rays Betting Picks & Insights

• The Rays have been favorites in 51 games this season and won 32 (62.7%) of those contests.
• Tampa Bay has a record of 2-3 when favored by -208 or more by oddsmakers this season.
• The oddsmakers’ moneyline implies a 67.5% chance of a victory for the Rays.
• Tampa Bay and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 32 of their 71 opportunities.
• The Rays are 32-39-0 against the spread in their 71 chances this season.

Pirates Betting Picks & Insights

• The Pirates have been underdogs in 55 games this season and have come away with the win 20 times (36.4%) in those contests.
• This season, Pittsburgh has come away with a win six times in 15 chances when named as an underdog of at least +176 or worse on the moneyline.
• The Pirates have an implied victory probability of 36.2% according to the moneyline set by sportsbooks for this matchup.
• Pittsburgh’s games have gone over the total in 30 of their 71 opportunities.
• The Pirates are 33-38-0 against the spread in their 71 games that had a posted line this season.

Rays Leaders & Batting Stats

• Randy Arozarena is batting .256 with 16 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 14 walks.
• Arozarena’s home runs place him 101st in MLB, and he ranks 75th in RBI.
• Arozarena brings a hitting streak of four games into this game. During his last five outings he is batting .333 with two doubles and an RBI.
• Yandy Diaz’s .257 batting average is a team-high mark.
• Diaz ranks 239th in homers and 247th in RBI on the season.
• Ji-Man Choi has sent home a team-high 34 runs batted in.
• Harold Ramirez is hitting .305 with nine doubles, three home runs and 11 walks.

Pirates Leaders & Batting Stats

• Bryan Reynolds has collected a team-best 12 home runs.
• Reynolds is 39th in home runs and 151st in RBI among all batters in MLB.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting .264 to lead the lineup.
• Hayes is 239th in home runs and 151st in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Michael Chavis has a team-high 25 runs batted in.
• Daniel Vogelbach is hitting .211 with seven doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 24 walks.