Drew Smyly (1-3, 2.60 ERA) gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays (11-14) as they go up against Alex Wood (1-2, 4.82 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-13) in the second of a two-game series at Tropicana Field. The Dodgers won the last game 10-5, and Los Angeles leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 4 and will air on SNLA and SUN.
In his last start, Smyly pitched 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out eight and walking one in a 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The Dodgers were also unsuccessful the last time Wood pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out nine and walking one in a 5-1 loss to the Padres. Joc Pederson (.269, 13 Rs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Rays have a 13-13 record SU against the National League. Tampa Bay has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking third in the AL with an average of only 9.4 strikeouts per game. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The Rays are fourth in the league in WHIP at 1.119.
When playing Interleague opponents, the Dodgers have an 11-13 record SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0. They have a WHIP of 1.132, fifth best in the MLB.
So far this season, the Dodgers are 1-0 against the Rays.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Rays need to step it up. The Dodgers have a record of 12-4 when opponents get eight hits or less.
It looks like the Dodgers have a slight leg up on the Rays, as the Dodgers have won their last two games while the Rays have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 6-3. The Dodgers have an 11-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 82 this season. Los Angeles ranks ninth with 116 runs.
Ranking 28th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 65 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 93.
The Rays are 9-9 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Dodgers are 8-6 when they hit at least one homer.
