Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Mets MLB Picks for Today 3/12/23

On March 12, 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays will face off against the New York Mets at Clover Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Rays are coming into the game with a 6-7 record, while the Mets have a 6-6 record. Both teams are looking to improve their early-season form and secure a much-needed win. In this article, we'll break down the strengths and weaknesses of each team and provide a prediction for the game. We'll also include the latest injury reports and betting odds, so you can make an informed decision when placing your bets.

Tampa Bay Rays

Hitting

The Rays have been struggling offensively in the early stages of the 2023 season, ranking 14th in the American League with a .255 team batting average. Yandy Diaz has been one of the few bright spots for the Rays, hitting .667 with a .750 on-base percentage and a 1.667 slugging percentage. Austin Meadows has also had a solid start to the season, hitting .296 with three home runs and five RBIs. However, the rest of the Rays' lineup has yet to get going, with no other player hitting above .250.

Pitching

The Rays' pitching staff has been a strength in the early stages of the season, with a team ERA of 3.85 ranking sixth in the American League. Shane McClanahan has been the standout performer, with a 2.25 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. Tyler Glasnow has also had a solid start to the season, with a 3.60 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched. The bullpen has been a mixed bag, with some solid performances from Andrew Kittredge and Jeffrey Springs, but some struggles from Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks.

New York Mets

Hitting

The Mets' offense has been solid in the early stages of the season, ranking sixth in the National League with a .269 team batting average. Pete Alonso has been the standout performer, hitting .286 with three home runs and four RBIs. Francisco Lindor has also had a solid start to the season, hitting .278 with two home runs and six RBIs. The Mets have also been getting contributions from the likes of Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, and Jeff McNeil.

Pitching

The Mets' pitching staff has been a mixed bag in the early stages of the season, with a team ERA of 4.26 ranking 11th in the National League. Jacob deGrom has been his usual dominant self, with a 0.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched. Taijuan Walker has also had a solid start to the season, with a 2.08 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched. However, the rest of the Mets' rotation has struggled, with Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman both sporting ERAs over 7.00. The bullpen has also had its struggles, with Edwin Diaz and Trevor May both giving up multiple runs in their early-season outings.

Injuries

Both teams have a few players listed on the injury report heading into the game. For the Rays, reliever Shawn Armstrong and shortstop Taylor Walls are both out, and third baseman Yandy Diaz is listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile, the Mets have outfielder Abraham Almonte listed as day-to-day. The biggest concern for both teams will be the potential impact of these injuries on their respective lineups and pitching staffs.

Prediction:

The Rays and the Mets both have talented teams, but they have struggled a bit in the early part of the season. The Rays have had some solid performances, but they have not been able to string together a series of wins to build momentum. Meanwhile, the Mets have had some issues with consistency on both offense and defense, which has led to some tough losses.

In terms of hitting, the Mets have the advantage, with players like Pete Alonso and Ronny Mauricio leading the way. However, the Rays have some solid hitters as well, with Yandy Diaz and Luke Raley both showing some promise early on in the season.

When it comes to pitching, the Rays may have the edge. They have a strong rotation, with Tyler Glasnow and Shane McClanahan leading the way. The Mets have some solid pitchers as well, but they have struggled at times this season.

Overall, this game promises to be a close one, with both teams fighting hard for the win. However, we believe that the Tampa Bay Rays have a slight edge in this matchup. Their strong pitching staff should be able to keep the Mets' offense in check, while their hitters are capable of putting up some runs on the board. With that in mind, our pick for this game is the Tampa Bay Rays.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays