Our Pirates vs Rays prediction for Sunday’s MLB showdown is now available
The Pirates are -155 moneyline favorites over the Rays in the Sunday MLB odds
Read on for Pirates vs Rays prediction, odds, props and injury updates for June 23rd
The Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their three-game interleague series on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Sun.
The Pirates are -155 moneyline favorites with the over/under set at 8 runs. Player props favor another strong showing from rookie sensation Paul Skenes on the mound. Pittsburgh evened up the series on Saturday with a 4-3 victory.
Here is our Rays vs Pirates prediction for Sunday, along with MLB odds and player props to bet on.
Rays vs Pirates Prediction
Pittsburgh rookie phenom Paul Skenes takes the hill on Sunday looking to build off an impressive start to his MLB career. The 22-year-old righty is 4-0 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through his first seven starts.
Skenes has racked up 53 strikeouts in just 39.1 innings while issuing only seven walks. He’s yet to allow more than three runs in a start. You can currently get the youngster from California at +190 in the NL Rookie of the Year odds.
The Pirates offense has had some bright spots this season, namely All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds who carries a 19-game hitting streak into Sunday’s contest. Shortstop Oneil Cruz has prodigious power, blasting a 445-foot homer into the Allegheny River on Saturday.
Veteran Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, tripled on Saturday showing he still has some extra gear left in those 37-year-old legs.
On the other side, the Rays hand the ball to Aaron Civale. The 29-year-old has struggled mightily on the road this season, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in seven starts away from Tropicana Field.
Opponents are batting .308 against him in those outings. Civale faced the Pirates once last season, allowing two runs over 5.1 innings in a no-decision.
The Rays offense has been middle-of-the-pack for most of the season but did explode for 17 hits in the series opener on Friday. Yandy Diaz has been swinging a hot bat, riding a 15-game hitting streak. Isaac Paredes leads the team with 11 home runs.
With Skenes on the mound at home and Civale’s road woes, the Pirates deserve to be favored in the Sunday MLB odds. Look for the rookie to shut down Tampa Bay while Pittsburgh’s bats do just enough against a shaky Civale to secure the series win.
Sunday MLB Pick: Pirates ML (-149 at
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