<p>
The 40-38 Tampa Bay Rays hit the road to take on the 35-41 Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a three-game set at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tonight. The first pitch in the opener at PNC Park is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET.
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<p>
The host Pirates are the smallest of the favorites laying on most boards -107 to -110. The total line for this match is listed as a consensus 9 runs at the betting sites we follow.
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<p>
In their last game, the Rays lost to the Baltimore Orioles 8-5. In that game the Rays scored five runs on 13 hits and the Orioles scored eight runs on 10 hits. Tampa Bay gave up three runs in the 9th inning in the game.
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<p>
In their last game, the Pirates lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4. In the match, the Pirates scored four runs on seven hits and the Cardinals scored eight runs on 11 hits.
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<p>
This season the Rays rank 7th in the Majors in runs scored and 12th in team ERA.
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<p>
The Pirates rank tied for 25th in the Majors in runs scored and 18th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Tampa Bay: Alex Cobb (6-5, 4.05 ERA)<br />
Pittsburgh: Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.09 ERA)
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<p>
Alex Cobb gets the start in the first game of this interleague series and in his last outing he gave up two earned runs in seven innings in a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Rays have won two of his last three starts and in that span he has given up five earned runs in 19 innings. Cobb lost his only career start against the Pirates and in 14 career interleague starts he is 9-3 with a solid ERA of 2.79. While Tampa Bay has won four of Cobb’s last five interleague starts they have lost four of his last five road starts against a team with a losing record.
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<p>
Trevor Williams goes for the Pirates tonight and in his last start he gave up three runs in six innings in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates have lost his last two starts and in his last three starts he has gone 15 innings and given up 11 earned runs. This is not only his first career start against the Rays, but also his first interleague appearance. The Pirates have won five of Williams’ last six starts following a team loss in their previous game.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
In the last 11 games between these teams the Over record is 8-3.
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<p>
These teams have not met since the 2014 season.
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<p>
This season the Pirates are 19-18 at home and the Rays are 16-20 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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<p>
Tampa Bay Rays: 40-38 SU / O/U 48-29 / Run Line W/L 40-38<br />
Pittsburgh Pirates: 35-41 SU / O/U 35-36 / Run Line W/L 39-37
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<h2>
Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
TB is 9-2 in their last 11 interleague games
</li>
<li>
TB is 9-4 in their last 13 games vs. a right-handed starter
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<li>
TB has an Over record of 20-5-1 in their last26 games
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<li>
PITT is 2-7 in their last 9 interleague games
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<li>
PITT is 2-5 in their last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record
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<li>
PITT has an Under record of 5-1-1 in their last 7 home games
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</ul>
<h3>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<p>
RAYS<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Shawn Tolleson 60-day DL (04/01) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Kevin Gadea 60-day DL (03/26) ( Elbow )<br />
[3B] 06/01/2017 - Matt Duffy 60-day DL (04/02) ( Achilles )<br />
[P] 06/13/2017 - Matt Andriese 60-day DL (06/11) ( Hip )<br />
[CF] 06/09/2017 - Kevin Kiermaier 10-day DL (06/09) ( Hip )<br />
[LF] 06/09/2017 - Rickie Weeks Jr. 10-day DL (06/09) ( Shoulder )<br />
[SS] 06/07/2017 - Brad Miller 10-day DL (06/07) ( Groin )<br />
[LF] 06/23/2017 - Colby Rasmus 10-day DL (06/19) ( Hip )<br />
[P] 06/26/2017 - Diego Moreno 60-day DL (05/22) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Nathan Eovaldi 60-day DL (03/10) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 05/18/2017 - Xavier Cedeno 60-day DL (04/18) ( Forearm )<br />
[SS] 05/11/2017 - Adeiny Hechavarria 10-day DL (05/10) ( Oblique )<br />
[P] 04/03/2017 - Brad Boxberger 60-day DL (04/02) ( Side )
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<p>
PIRATES<br />
[CF] 04/18/2017 - Starling Marte 80-game suspension (eligible to return 07/18 vs. Milwaukee) ( Suspension )<br />
[C] 06/23/2017 - Francisco Cervelli 7-day DL (06/22) ( Concussion )<br />
[P] 05/28/2017 - Antonio Bastardo 10-day DL (04/25) ( Quad )
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