Rays vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 5, 2023

April 5, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays (5-0) will put their five-game win streak to the test when they visit the Washington Nationals (1-4) Wednesday at 1:05 PM ET on MASN. Sportsbooks consider the Rays -260 favorites to extend their streak, while the Nationals are +214 underdogs looking for the upset.

Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan and Washington’s Patrick Corbin have been named the starters for this contest.

Rays vs. Nationals Odds

Rays odds to win: -260
Nationals odds to win: +214
Spread: Rays -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Time: 1:05 PM ET
TV: MASN

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Who Will Win Rays vs. Nationals?

Rays and Nationals Betting Trends (2022)

The Rays finished with a 63-43 record in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 59.4% of those games).

Tampa Bay played as a moneyline favorite of -260 or shorter in just two games last season. It won both.

The Nationals were underdogs 141 times last season and won 47, or 33.3%, of those games.

Washington had a record of 11-17, a 39.3% win rate, when it was set as the underdog by +214 or more by sportsbooks last season.

The Rays played in 164 games with an over/under set, and combined with their opponents to go over the total 73 times (73-82-9).

Games involving the Nationals went over the total set by oddsmakers in 74 of 159 chances last season.

Rays Stats & Insights (2022)

Last season the Rays were the 21st-highest scoring team in baseball averaging 4.1 runs per game (666 total).

Tampa Bay ranked 25th in baseball with 139 total home runs last season.

The Rays had the 17th-ranked batting average in the majors (.239).

The club struck out 8.6 times per game to rank 19th in baseball.

The 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Rays pitching staff last season ranked 12th in the majors.

Tampa Bay’s 3.41 team ERA ranked fourth among all MLB pitching staffs.

Nationals Stats & Insights (2022)

The Nationals were among the lowest scoring teams in the league, ranking 26th with just 603 total runs (3.7 per game) last season.

Washington hit just 136 homers last season, which ranked 28th in the league.

The Nationals had a team batting average of .248 last season, which ranked 11th among MLB teams.

Washington showed patience at the plate last season, having the fourth-best rate of strikeouts per game (7.5) among MLB offenses.

The Nationals had a 7.8 K/9 last season as a pitching staff, which ranked 23rd in the majors.

Washington pitchers had a combined ERA of 5.01 last year, which ranked 29th in MLB.

Rays Key Players to Watch (2022)

The Rays will look to McClanahan (1-0) in his second start this season.

Yandy Diaz hit .296 last season with nine home runs and 57 RBI.

Randy Arozarena batted .263 last season with a team-high 20 home runs and 89 RBI.

Harold Ramirez finished last season with six home runs, 59 RBI and a batting average of .300.

Isaac Paredes slugged 20 long balls while driving in 45 runs.

Nationals Key Players to Watch (2022)

The Nationals will send Corbin to the mound for his second start of the season.

Lane Thomas hit 17 home runs and had 52 runs batted in last season, while putting up a batting average of .241.

Keibert Ruiz hit .251 with 22 doubles, seven home runs and 30 walks.

Jeimer Candelario hit .217 a season ago with 19 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 29 walks.

Joey Meneses hit .324 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 17 walks.

Rays and Nationals Injuries

Rays: Tyler Glasnow: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Shane Baz: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Shawn Armstrong: 15 Day IL (Neck), Andrew Kittredge: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Nationals: Corey Dickerson: 10 Day IL (Calf), Israel Pineda: 10 Day IL (Finger), Carter Kieboom: 10 Day IL (Finger), Stephen Strasburg: 60 Day IL (Ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Victor Arano: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)