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The Tampa Bay Rays will look to build on their six-game winning streak as they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
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Tampa Bay has been crushing opposing pitchers so far this season, and I’m picking it to win again tonight in my Rays vs. Pirates predictions.
Let’s take a deeper look at this matchup in my free MLB picks for Friday, April 17.
Who will win Rays vs Pirates tonight: Rays moneyline (+120)
The Tampa Bay Rays are averaging 5.06 runs per game so far this season, and have put up at least five runs in every game of their current winning streak. They’ll have a great chance to keep that going tonight against Pittsburgh Pirates starter Bubba Chandler.
Chandler has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two starts without going more than 5 1/3 innings in either game.
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Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez has looked sharp to start the season, throwing to a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his first three starts.
With the Rays coming in this hot, I’m jumping on these odds tonight.
Covers
COVERS INTEL:
Tampa Bay is hitting .267 and averaging 5.5 runs per nine innings against right-handed pitching this season.
Rays vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-102)
Pittsburgh is hitting well too, averaging five runs per game off a .734 OPS this year. Brandon Lowe has seven homers in his first 17 games, while Oneil Cruz and Ryan O’Hearn are also off to fast starts.
Neither starter is likely to give their team much length tonight. There are soft spots that these lineups can take advantage of if it takes several arms to get through this game, especially on Tampa Bay’s side.
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With both lineups in peak form, I’m backing the Over.
Ed Scimia’s 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 3-4, -1.03 units
Over/Under bets: 1-4, -2.96 units
Rays vs Pirates odds
Moneyline: Rays +116 | Pirates -136
Run line: Rays +1.5 | Pirates -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Rays vs Pirates trend
The Rays are 6-0 straight up in their last six games overall. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Pirates.
How to watch Rays vs Pirates and game info
Location
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Date
Friday, April 17, 2026
First pitch
6:45 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Rays starting pitcher
Nick Martinez
(0-0, 2.16 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcher
Bubba Chandler
(0-1, 3.86 ERA)
Rays vs Pirates latest injuriesRays vs Pirates weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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