Reds vs Rays Prediction MLB Picks Today 4/18

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Rays vs Reds: MLB Game Preview for April 18, 2023

The 14-2 Tampa Bay Rays travel to Great American Ball Park to take on the 6-9 Cincinnati Reds on April 18, 2023. With the best win-loss record in the league, the Rays will be confident heading into the game, but the Reds will be looking to climb their way up the National League Central standings. MLB picks experts, MLB picks computer, and MLB picks emp predictions all point towards the Rays as the favorites, but with baseball being a game of unpredictability, anything can happen on the day. Stick with us for our full length prediction article, which will include the latest MLB picks and parlay tips from MLB experts, as well as the best MLB bets for today. We'll also provide an overview of the probable pitchers and key players to watch out for in what should be an exciting game of baseball. Rays: Pitching Analysis The Tampa Bay Rays have been dominant so far in the 2023 season, sitting atop the American League East with a 14-2 record. One of the main factors contributing to their success has been their pitching staff. According to MLB picks experts and MLB picks computer predictions, the Rays have been a popular choice for MLB today experts and MLB picks and parlay bets. The team has the best MLB picks record, and their pitching has been a big reason why. The Rays' pitching staff currently ranks first in the league in earned run average (ERA) with a 2.54 mark. They have held opposing batters to a .198 average, the lowest mark in the majors. Led by ace Taj Bradley, who has a 1.05 ERA and 10 strikeouts through 17.1 innings pitched, the Rays have a talented rotation and a deep bullpen. Their opponent on April 18, 2023, the Cincinnati Reds, have a less impressive pitching staff. The Reds rank 25th in the league in ERA (5.21) and 28th in WHIP (1.607). However, their offense has been a bright spot, ranking 10th in runs scored per game. Despite the Reds' offensive prowess, the Rays' pitching staff should be able to handle them. With MLB experts picks and MLB picks with spread favoring the Rays, bettors may find the best MLB bets today in favor of Tampa Bay. 

Rays: Hitting Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have had a strong start to the 2023 MLB season, currently sitting at a record of 14-2. Experts, both computer-generated predictions and traditional MLB picks, have been favoring the Rays for most of their games. Today, the Rays will face off against the Cincinnati Reds. Looking at the Rays hitting stats, it's clear they've been a team to beat. They are currently ranked first in win percentage, runs per game, and run differential. They're also second in batting average and on-base percentage, as well as first in slugging percentage and isolated power. Leading the pack for the Rays is Brandon Lowe, who has hit five home runs with a .310 batting average. Another hitter to watch is Wander Franco, who boasts a .318 batting average and .987 OPS. Randy Arozarena has also been impressive, with 17 RBIs and three home runs. On the other hand, the Reds have had a slower start to the season, currently sitting at a record of 6-9. They rank in the middle of the league in most offensive categories, including runs per game and batting average. However, they have been solid defensively, ranking ninth in the league in earned run average. In today's game, the Rays will face off against Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo, who has a 2-0 record with a 2.12 ERA. The Rays have not announced their starting pitcher yet. Despite the Reds' strong pitching, it's likely the Rays will continue to dominate offensively. MLB experts are predicting the Rays will win this game, and it's a safe bet to include them in parlays or as part of the best MLB bets of the day.

Reds Pitching Analysis: 

The Cincinnati Reds will host the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18, 2023 in what is expected to be a thrilling matchup. The starting pitchers for the game are expected to be Taj Bradley for the Rays and Nick Lodolo for the Reds. MLB picks experts and computers have made their predictions for this game, and the majority believe that the Rays have the edge. The Matchup Predictor on MLB.com gives the Rays a 55.4% chance of winning, while experts and computer simulations have predicted a 4-2 away win for the Rays. Despite the odds, the Reds have shown promise in their pitching this season. Nick Lodolo, in particular, has a solid 2-0 record with an ERA of 2.12 and 17 strikeouts to his name. The Reds also have a relatively solid defense, with a .284 opponent batting average and a 4.81 ERA against. On the other hand, the Rays have a formidable pitching lineup, with an ERA of 2.54 and a WHIP of 1.056. Their offense is also strong, with 7.13 runs per game and a .541 slugging percentage. It remains to be seen which team will come out on top in this matchup, but the Reds will need to leverage their pitching strengths and improve their offense if they hope to overcome the odds and win against the dominant Tampa Bay Rays.

Reds: Hitting Analysis

The Reds have had a tough start to the 2023 season, with a record of 6-9 through their first 15 games. Their struggles can largely be attributed to their hitting, which has been inconsistent at best. As we look ahead to their upcoming matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB picks experts and computer MLB picks and predictions suggest that Cincinnati may struggle to put runs on the board. One of the biggest issues for the Reds has been their lack of power. They currently rank 25th in the league in home runs per game, and their slugging percentage of .398 is 18th overall. This lack of power has made it difficult for the Reds to manufacture runs, as they have also struggled to hit with runners in scoring position. Another problem for the Reds has been their plate discipline. They currently rank 21st in the league in strikeouts per game, and their walk rate of 10.4% is only 8th best. While they have been able to draw walks, they have also been prone to striking out, which has limited their offensive potential. Despite their struggles, there have been a few bright spots for the Reds. Jonathan India has been one of the team's best hitters early on, with a .333 batting average and a .424 on-base percentage. Brandon Lowe, meanwhile, has provided some pop with five home runs on the year. If the Reds hope to turn things around, they will need more contributions from their lineup as a whole. They will face a tough test in the Rays, who currently boast one of the top pitching staffs in the league. MLB picks and parlay experts and MLB experts picks today suggest that the Reds may struggle to put together a consistent offense in this matchup. 

Injury Report

Both the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds have a few players currently dealing with injuries. For the Rays, Shane Baz and Johan Lopez are on the 60-day injured list, while Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson are on the 15-day list. Shawn Armstrong is also on the 60-day injured list and will not be available for this game. On the Reds side, Connor Overton and Luke Weaver are on the 15-day injured list, and Joey Votto is on the 10-day list. Spencer Steer is listed as day-to-day, and Lucas Sims is on the 15-day list. These injuries may impact the team’s performance and potentially affect the outcome of the game. 

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