- Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: Tampa Bay (+102) vs Pittsburgh (-122)
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This Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-7) are set to host the Tampa Bay Rays (10-7) at PNC Park. The moneyline for this contest positions the Rays at +102, while the Pirates are favored at -122. The projected over/under for the game stands at 9 runs, with pitchers Nick Martinez and Bubba Chandler expected to take the mound.
So far this season, the Rays have recorded 25 doubles and 15 home runs. Currently, Tampa Bay boasts a slugging percentage of .399 and has struck out 120 times while drawing 57 walks. Averaging 5.1 runs per game, they rank 8th in the MLB. They’ve accumulated 81 RBIs and 156 hits, with a team batting average of .266 and a total of 86 runs scored, alongside an on-base percentage of .337.
This season, the Rays possess a team ERA of 4.46, ranking 23rd in the league, with 132 strikeouts recorded by the pitching staff. They’ve allowed 20 home runs and a total of 88 runs, also ranking 23rd. Their FIP stands at 4.42, and they have issued 61 walks. With 126 hits allowed across 1,162 innings, they average 7.5 hits per 9 innings while granting 75 earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.16, contributing to a collective WHIP of 1.24.
The bullpen has achieved a save success rate of 66.7%, entering 22 save opportunities and securing 6 saves, although they have blown 3 of their 9 attempts. This season, Rays relievers have inherited 21 base runners, with 47.6% scoring. They have made 20 appearances in high-leverage situations, completing 55 relief outings, and have recorded 13 holds (10th in the league).
For the season, Tampa Bay has accumulated 454 putouts, 123 assists, and 19 errors, earning a fielding percentage of .968 (ranking 30th in the league). They have turned 8 double plays and converted 72.2% of balls in play into outs across their 1,362 innings, placing them 5th in the majors.
Pitcher Martinez has logged 956 innings in his career, amassing 681 strikeouts, with an ERA of 4.12 (allowing 438 earned runs). His career WHIP is 1.297, permitting 947 hits (8.9 hits per 9 innings) and 293 walks. Martinez has faced 4,053 batters and holds a career record of 48-59 with a FIP of 4.06.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit 20 home runs this season and secured 85 RBIs. They’ve also recorded 24 doubles, drawing 77 walks and scoring 88 runs. Pittsburgh has a team on-base percentage of .337 and batting average of .244. They hold a slugging percentage of .385 and are averaging 4.89 runs per game (10th in baseball). The team has struck out 162 times (ranked 11th) and has 149 hits.
The Pirates’ pitching staff boasts a WHIP of 1.312 and a FIP of 3.80. Their K/BB ratio stands at 9.50, with 172 strikeouts against 81 walks, ranking 8th in total hits allowed with 133. They have given up 14 home runs and yield 3.75 runs per 9 innings (8th in the league). Currently, they have allowed 68 runs with a 3.26 ERA (yielding 59 earned runs).
Ranking 19th in save rate (57.1%), the Pirates have used 64 relievers this season. Their relief corps has appeared 28 times in high-pressure situations (14 times with runners on base). Over the course of 24 save opportunities, they’ve achieved 17 holds and 3 blown saves. Pittsburgh’s relievers have executed 7 saves, with an inherited score percentage of 11.1% from 18 runners.
In terms of defense, the Pirates have registered 12 double plays and maintain a fielding percentage of .987 (12th in MLB). They’ve made 141 assists, committed 8 errors, and completed 490 putouts this season. Over their 1,470 innings played, they hold a defensive efficiency of 70.8% (13th in the majors).
Chandler, sporting a career record of 4-2, has a 3.99 ERA while allowing 7.0 hits per 9 innings. His K/BB ratio is 2.81, facing 187 batters to date. He has permitted 20 earned runs with a WHIP of 1.131 and a FIP of 3.9. In his career, Chandler has given up 35 hits and earned 45 strikeouts across 45 innings.
Who will emerge victorious tonight in the MLB battle against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Take Tampa Bay (+102)
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