The Tampa Bay Rays (4-2, 3-3 RL, 1-5 O/U) are set to face off against the Texas Rangers (5-2, 2-5 RL, 1-6 O/U) in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon. The Rays will start pitcher Taj Bradley, while the Rangers will counter with Jacob deGrom. Last season, Texas had a strong performance against Tampa Bay, finishing 5-1 in their matchups.
Will the Rays’ strong pitching hold up on Saturday? Read on for a detailed prediction about the Rays vs. Rangers matchup that covers all angles!
Bradley Aims for Consistency
Taj Bradley takes the mound for Tampa Bay, coming off a solid season debut where he limited the Colorado Rockies to just two runs over six innings, earning a victory. The 24-year-old right-hander had a mixed performance last season, posting a 4.11 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and an 8-11 record over 25 games, accumulating 154 strikeouts in 138 innings. This game will mark his first career matchup against the Rangers.
Starting their first road trip of the season, the Rays began strong with a series win against the Rockies, followed by two out of three victories at home against the Pirates. However, they fell short of a sweep with a 4-2 loss on Wednesday. Their pitching has been a standout feature, allowing only five runs in their last series.
Tampa Bay’s roster includes Christopher Morel, acquired from the Cubs last season, who hit 21 home runs and drove in 60 RBIs in 2022. So far this season, he has one RBI and a .717 OPS. Another promising player is Junior Caminero, the 21-year-old third baseman, who has one RBI and a .711 OPS. Ha-Seong Kim is currently on the injured list.
As a team, the Rays are averaging 4.17 runs per game, placing them 11th in the league, while their pitching staff boasts an impressive 2.00 ERA, ranking second overall.
DeGrom Seeks to Build on Strong Start
Jacob deGrom takes the mound for Texas for the second time this season, following a stellar debut where he tossed five scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox, recording six strikeouts. The ace pitcher has struggled with injuries over the past three seasons, having pitched only 10.2 innings last year. If he can stay healthy, deGrom remains a top-tier pitcher in Major League Baseball. Historically, he has performed well against the Rays, allowing just five runs in 21.1 innings for a 2.11 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP.
The Rangers are looking to bounce back after a missed postseason last year. They have started the 2024 season positively, winning three out of four games against the Red Sox at home, followed by taking two out of three on the road against the Reds, despite a lackluster offensive output where they scored just five runs while allowing 15.
Star shortstop Corey Seager is currently struggling at the plate, with no RBIs and a .440 OPS. Last season, he was effective against the Rays, driving in six runs with a 1.1 OPS. Additionally, second baseman Josh Jung is currently sidelined on the injured list.
Adolis Garcia is showing early promise this season after a disappointing 2024. He has already hit two home runs and driven in four RBIs, boasting a .956 OPS. However, his performance against the Rays last season saw him with only two RBIs and a .607 OPS.
Overall, Texas is averaging just 2.57 runs per game, which ranks 25th in the league. However, their pitching staff is performing well with a 2.90 ERA, placing them ninth overall.
Best Bets for Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
The Tampa Bay Rays are hitting the road for the first time this season after starting with six games at home. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers have found success early, winning five of their first seven games.
While Taj Bradley had a solid debut against the Colorado Rockies, the matchup against a more formidable Texas lineup poses a greater challenge. Jacob deGrom, when healthy, is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball, with two Cy Young awards to his name. His impressive performance against the Red Sox has set the stage for a potential dominant outing against the Rays. Betting on the run line could provide added value in this matchup.
Looking for another perspective on this matchup?
For additional insights, check out the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
