MLB Picks and Predictions Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates on 3/17

Photo Credit © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The KingPin.pro iOS and Android app is the ultimate destination for sports fans looking for the latest news, analysis, and predictions for their favorite teams. Today, we'll be taking a closer look at the upcoming game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 17, 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are off to a solid start this season, with an 11-8 record and a 5-5 record on the road. They've been led by their strong hitting, with Luke Raley leading the team with three home runs and 11 RBI. Yandy Diaz has also been impressive, hitting .571 with a .700 OBP and a 1.143 SLG.

The Rays' offense is certainly one of the strengths of their team, as they've been able to score runs consistently so far this season. In addition to Raley and Diaz, they've also received solid contributions from Austin Meadows, who has hit .283 with two home runs and nine RBI, and Randy Arozarena, who has hit .255 with two home runs and eight RBI.

On the pitching side, the Rays have been solid but not spectacular. Their team ERA is 4.05, and they've allowed opponents to hit .222 against them. Colby White is currently out, but the team has plenty of depth in their bullpen to make up for his absence. Josh Fleming has been the team's best starter so far this season, with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in three starts.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a rough start this season, with a 4-12 record and a 4-6 record at home. Their hitting has been lackluster, with Luke Raley leading the team with just two home runs and six RBI. Jack Brannigan has been impressive, hitting a perfect 1.000 with a 1.000 OBP and a 1.000 SLG, but he's only had two at-bats this season.

The Pirates' offense has been a major disappointment so far this season, as they've struggled to score runs on a consistent basis. Outside of Raley and Brannigan, the team hasn't received much production from anyone else. Bryan Reynolds has been one of the team's better hitters, hitting .278 with one home run and five RBI, but he's been a bit inconsistent so far this season.

On the pitching side, the Pirates have struggled mightily. Their team ERA is 5.72, and they've allowed opponents to hit .265 against them. Jarlin Garcia is currently out, which only compounds their pitching woes. Steven Brault has been the team's best starter so far this season, with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in three starts.

Injuries

Both teams have a few players on the injury report, but the Rays seem to have the better overall health at this point in the season. Colby White, Jaime Schultz, Andrew Kittredge, and Johan Lopez are all on the Rays' injury report, but none of them are expected to be out for an extended period of time. For the Pirates, Jarlin Garcia, Dariel Lopez, and Robert Stephenson are all currently out, which only compounds the team's struggles.

Prediction

Based on the statistics and analysis, it's clear that the Tampa Bay Rays are the stronger team in this matchup. Their hitting has been consistent, and their pitching has been solid enough to keep them in games. The Pittsburgh Pirates, on the other hand, have struggled in both aspects of the game.

The Rays' offense should be able to take advantage of the Pirates' struggling pitching staff, while their own pitching staff should be able to limit the Pirates' struggling offense. With the game being played in Bradenton, Florida, which is close to the Rays' home base in St. Petersburg, the Rays should feel comfortable and have a slight home field advantage.

It's worth noting that the Pirates have been better at home this season than on the road, but that may not matter against a team as strong as the Rays. With the Rays' offense clicking and their pitching staff holding their own, it's difficult to see the Pirates pulling off an upset in this game.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

If you're looking for free MLB picks today, we recommend taking the Tampa Bay Rays to win this matchup. They're the stronger team on paper, and we expect them to come out on top in this game. If you're looking to make some MLB picks and parlays, you may want to consider taking the Rays to cover the spread, which is currently set at -1.5.

Overall, this should be an interesting matchup between two teams with very different records so far this season. While the Pirates have struggled, they still have the potential to turn things around, and a win against a team as good as the Rays could give them some much-needed confidence. However, the Rays are simply too strong and too consistent to be taken lightly, and we expect them to continue their winning ways in this matchup.