The Tampa Bay Rays (4-1) go for the sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-5) on Wednesday, April 2. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on SportsNet PIT and FanDuel Sports Sun, and can also be streamed on MLB.TV.
The Rays have rolled through the Pirates through two games, outscoring Pittsburgh 13-1. Completing the sweep of the Bucs will be a tough task, however, as ace Paul Skenes gets the start for Pittsburgh. Starting for the Rays is right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who struck out eight over six innings of one-run ball against the Rockies on Friday.
Find my Pirates vs Rays predictions and moneyline pick for Wednesday below.
Pirates vs Rays Prediction
- Pirates vs Rays pick: Rays Moneyline (+105; play to -125)
My Pirates vs Rays best bet is the Rays ML (play to -125). Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Pirates vs Rays Odds, Lines, Prediction, Best Bet
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +150 | 7 +100o / -120u | -115 |
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -178 | 7 +100o / -120u | -105 |
- Pirates vs Rays Moneyline: Pirates -115, Rays -105
- Pirates vs Rays Over/Under: 7 (+100o / -120u)
- Pirates vs Rays Spread: Pirates -1.5 (+150), Rays +1.5 (-178)
- Pirates vs Rays Best Bet: Rays Moneyline
Pirates vs Rays Projected Starting Pitchers Wednesday
| RHP Paul Skenes (PIT) | Stat | RHP Ryan Pepiot (TB) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | W-L | 0-0 |
| 0.3 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.3 |
| 3.38/1.74 | ERA /xERA | 1.50/2.26 |
| 1.35/1.67 | FIP / xFIP | 1.19/2.59 |
| 0.94 | WHIP | 1.17 |
| 25% | K-BB% | 26.9% |
| 72.7% | GB% | 56.3% |
| 120 | Stuff+ | 113 |
| 108 | Location+ | 109 |
Pirates vs Rays Preview, Predictions
Pirates Betting Preview: Will Skenes Get Run Support?
It's always a good day when it's Paul Skenes day. He's must-watch television at all times, and the books know how good he is.
The beginning to Skenes' sophomore season was a booming success; he struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings, with three hits and two walks and two runs allowed. He's easily one of the most dominant hurlers in MLB so it makes sense for Pittsburgh to be the favorite in betting markets.
Pittsburgh has endured a bumpy start to the year, dropping three games via walk off to the Marlins, including Skenes' first start on Opening Day.
The Pirates' bats are ice cold to start the year with a wRC+ of just 54. Their team numbers are impacted by Ji Hwan Bae and Jared Triolo each having -100 wRC+s in 11 ABs. However, the Pirates offense won't be good unless Bryan Reynolds starts hitting. He has a 32 wRC+ with a shockingly high 29% K rate.
This Pirates lineup just isn't very talented besides Oneil Cruz, who has a 128 wRC+ and a 19% K rate — though he's hitting just .220. The other big talent is Reynolds, who posted a 118 wRC+ or better in three of four seasons, but I already described his 2025 struggles.
The rest of the Pirates lineup has a bunch of unknowns or aging players who returned to the Pirates, such as Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier.
Tuesday was another rough game for the Pittsburgh bats. Despite collecting seven hits against Shane Baz, the Rays' right-hander tossed six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. The Pirates couldn't make good situational basketball plays due to the frequent strikeouts.
Rays Betting Preview: Pepiot Breaking Out?
Pepiot is a strikeout-heavy pitcher who punched out eight Rockies hitters in his 2025 debut. I've always had high hopes for Pepiot, who the Rays netted as part of the return for Tyler Glasnow.
The issue Pepiot faced last year was a 3.32 BB/9, which limited how many innings he could throw. If the first outing for Pepiot is a sign, it's a good one, as he walked just one hitter.
As long as Pepiot can stay away from the walks, he has the DNA to carve up this swing-happy Pirates team that features plenty of strikeout candidates.
The Rays offense has a 123 wRC+ so far. That's come despite Yandy Diaz (-37 wRC+) and Brandon Lowe (95 wRC+) not putting up star numbers .
Diaz has a very bizarre stat line. He has one walk and zero strikeouts while going 3-for-22 with one extra-base hit. With Josh Lowe injured, Diaz was an All-Star in 2024 and needs to regain that form in 2025.
Some surprising names like Kameron Misner, Jonathan Aranda, Jose Caballero and Jonny DeLuca have made up for Diaz's struggles and Lowe's injury. Each of those four has a 200 or better wRC+. It's not sustainable, but it's a helpful hot streak in a time of need.
Pirates vs Rays Moneyline Prediction Analysis
I have a lot more trust in the Rays than the Pirates despite the presence of Paul Skenes.
The Bucs offense is a complete nightmare right now, and Pepiot could match Skenes with zeroes in the scoring column.
Plus, when it gets to clutch time, I trust Pete Fairbanks and the Rays' bullpen over the Pirates' 'pen. They don't have many options besides Colin Holderman since David Bednar got demoted to AAA.
Pick: Rays ML (play to -125)
Moneyline
As I outlined above, I like the Rays moneyline for Wednesday afternoon.
Run Line (Spread)
I'm passing on a bet on the run line.
Over/Under
No play.
