The Arizona Diamondbacks (69-54, T-2nd NL West) will face off against the Tampa Bay Rays (60-61, 4th AL East) in the concluding game of their three-game series on Sunday. After a narrow 5-4 loss in the series opener, which included a critical fielding error that allowed Tampa Bay to score the winning run in the bottom of the 9th, Arizona seeks redemption. That defeat not only ended Arizona’s six-game winning streak but also allowed Tampa Bay to break a three-game losing streak. Currently, Arizona sits in second place in the National League West, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games, while Tampa Bay is positioned fourth in the American League East, lagging behind the New York Yankees by 12 games. The Diamondbacks will be missing four pitchers and position players Gabriel Moreno and Christian Walker, while Ketel Marte is expected to return. Tampa Bay will also be without one pitcher and position players Richard Palacios and Wander Franco.
Diamondbacks’ Hitting Power Fuels Their Momentum
The Arizona Diamondbacks have established themselves as formidable contenders at the plate, ranking among the top five teams in four key hitting categories. They lead the league in runs scored (648), hold the second spot in on-base percentage (.333), are third in batting average (.261), and rank fourth in slugging percentage (.433). Ketel Marte, who is likely to play, tops the team with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs, while Christian Walker, who is sidelined, follows with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs. The Diamondbacks boast a diverse lineup with 10 players contributing between 22 and 81 RBIs this season. In 123 games, they have achieved 213 doubles, 31 triples, and 148 home runs, totaling 392 extra-base hits.
Despite their offensive prowess, Arizona ranks 13th in Quality Starts (45) and struggles with pitching consistency, sitting 25th in ERA (4.44) and WHIP (1.33), while allowing a batting average of .259 against. Zac Gallen leads the team with 9 victories and an ERA of 3.69, and Brandon Pfaadt has recorded the most strikeouts at 135. Merrill Kelly will be the starting pitcher on Sunday; he has an impressive record of 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA and 23 strikeouts this season.
Tampa Bay’s Offensive Struggles Continue
The Tampa Bay Rays are grappling with offensive difficulties, ranking 20th in on-base percentage (.308), 26th in batting average (.232), and 28th in runs scored (469). Leading the team in home runs are Jose Siri and Brandon Lowe, each with 14, while Yandy Diaz leads in RBIs with 52. The Rays have 11 players with RBIs ranging from 21 to 55, having recorded 193 doubles, 14 triples, and 111 home runs for a total of 318 extra-base hits in 121 games.
On the mound, Tampa Bay ranks 8th in WHIP (1.23) and 15th in ERA (3.96), with a batting average allowed of .242, but they struggle with Quality Starts, sitting at 26th with only 34. Garrett Cleavinger leads the team with 7 wins, while Zack Littell has logged the most strikeouts at 116 this season. Taj Bradley will take the mound for the Rays on Sunday afternoon; he holds a record of 6-7 with a 3.49 ERA and 112 strikeouts.
Betting Insights for Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays
In recent form, Arizona stands at 6-1 over their last seven games, and they have been successful against American League competition, winning five of their last six matchups. Conversely, Tampa Bay has struggled, losing five of their last seven games and posting a dismal 2-6 record at home over their past eight contests. This game highlights a striking contrast in offensive performance; Arizona excels in hitting, ranking within the top five across multiple categories, while Tampa Bay finds themselves at 20th or lower in four key metrics, including runs scored. Merrill Kelly’s recent outing saw him allow only two runs over five innings in a win against Philadelphia, underscoring his solid 2.43 ERA this season. On the other hand, Taj Bradley, while possessing a respectable ERA, has struggled in recent starts, surrendering 15 runs across his last 14 innings and suffering losses against Miami, St. Louis, and Houston.
