Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 2.43 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (24-21) square off against Roenis Elias (1-1, 2.76 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (20-23) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 25 and can be seen on ROOT-NW and SunSports.
Odorizzi pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out two and walking two in a 2-1 defeat to the Braves. Brandon Guyer (.287, 14 Rs, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. When pitching against the Rays, Elias is 1-0 with a 4.70 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Kyle Seager (.270, 19 Rs, 7 HRs, 23 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Tampa Bay is a -139 favorite against Seattle and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Rays have an overall money line of +287 and a record as the favorite of 12-10. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Rays, who have a team ERA of only 3.29. The Rays are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.17 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rays, who lead the AL in strikeouts per home game with 9.3.
As for their opponent, Seattle is coming in with an overall money line of -602 and a disappointing record of 5-8 as the underdog. The Mariners have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.8 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Rays have a 5-6 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Elias takes the mound. Odorizzi (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 15-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mariners who are coming in with a 3-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 3-14. The Mariners have an 8-14 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top half of the league at 13th when it comes to home runs, hitting 41 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at third with 54.
Tampa Bay and Seattle both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Tampa Bay sits at 12th with 8.11 hits per game and Seattle ranks 13th with 8.00.
Tampa Bay and Seattle both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Tampa Bay sits at 18th with an OPS of .699 and Seattle ranks 17th with an OPS of .703.
When the Mariners allow at least one home run, they are 9-19. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 10-13 record.
