NEWSLETTER
Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays (25-6) host Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-11) on Thursday, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET.
If you’re trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Tampa Bay-Pittsburgh matchup.
When is Rays vs. Pirates and when does it start?
This contest between the Rays and Pirates will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Expect to see the opening pitch at 1:10 PM ET.
Where to watch Rays vs. Pirates
The Rays and Pirates will hit the diamond at Tropicana Field for this matchup on May 4, and if you’d like to catch the event live, get your tickets now from Vivid Seats!
What channel is the game on?
You can catch this game live on BSSUN.
Watch the Rays vs. Pirates live stream on Fubo
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Rays vs. Pirates Game Preview
Shane McClanahan (6.0 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 9 K) registered the win in the Rays’ 8-1 victory over the Pirates yesterday. Franco led the way offensively, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Mitch Keller (5.0 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 8 K) took the loss for the Pirates.
Rays Stats, Odds & Insights
The Rays have a 25-5 record in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 83.3% of those games).
The Tampa Bay Rays have hit an MLB-leading 64 home runs, averaging 2.1 per game.
The Rays have a league-best .523 slugging percentage.
Tampa Bay’s 2.97 team ERA ranks first among all MLB pitching staffs.
Rays pitchers combine for the No. 1 WHIP in baseball (1.108).
Pirates Stats, Odds & Insights
The Pirates have been underdogs in 23 games this season and won 13 (56.5%) of those contests.
Pittsburgh has hit 35 homers this season, which ranks 13th in the majors.
Fueled by 110 extra-base hits, the Pirates rank sixth in MLB with a .442 slugging percentage this season.
Pittsburgh has pitched to a 3.64 ERA this season, which ranks ninth in baseball.
The Pirates have a combined WHIP of 1.320 as a pitching staff, which ranks 16th in MLB.
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Rays Starter Recent Performance: Zach Eflin
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at White Sox | Apr. 28 | 5.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| vs. White Sox | Apr. 23 | 5.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| vs. Athletics | Apr. 7 | 6.0 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| vs. Tigers | Apr. 1 | 5.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Pirates Starter Recent Performance: Vince Velásquez
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at Nationals | Apr. 29 | 6.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| vs. Reds | Apr. 23 | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| at Rockies | Apr. 18 | 6.0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| at Cardinals | Apr. 13 | 6.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| vs. White Sox | Apr. 8 | 2.2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
Rays Key Players to Watch
Zach Eflin gets the start for the Rays, his fifth of the season. He is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings pitched.
In his most recent time out on Friday, the righty went five innings against the Chicago White Sox, giving up two earned runs while surrendering six hits.
The 29-year-old has amassed an ERA of 3.00, with 9 strikeouts per nine innings, in four games this season. Opponents are hitting .256 against him.
Franco is batting .305 with six home runs and 20 RBI for Tampa Bay this season.
Randy Arozarena leads Tampa Bay in home runs with seven, runs batted in with 28 and a batting average of .325.
Yandy Diaz leads Tampa Bay in home runs with seven. He’s driven in 16 runs and is slugging .570.
Pirates Key Players to Watch
The Pirates will hand the ball to Vince Velasquez (4-2) for his seventh start of the season.
The right-hander’s last start was on Saturday, when he tossed six innings without allowing a run on five hits in a matchup with the Washington Nationals.
The 30-year-old has pitched in six games this season with an ERA of 3.06 and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .211.
Reynolds leads the Pirates in runs batted in (23) and has accumulated a team-best batting average of .327.
Andrew McCutchen has shown off his power as he leads his team with six home runs.
Carlos Santana is batting .269 with nine doubles, two home runs and 14 walks.
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