Nick Martinez (CIN) Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-156)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Pirates gear up to face the Rays, all eyes will be on Nick Martinez's strikeout potential. While Martinez has shown flashes of brilliance, his recent outings indicate that he struggles to rack up K's against disciplined lineups like Tampa Bay's. The Rays boast one of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball, consistently making contact and capitalizing on pitches. In his last few starts, Martinez has averaged just over two strikeouts per game, a stark contrast to the 4.5 line set for this matchup. With Tampa’s patience at the plate and Martinez’s tendency to pitch to contact, the under feels like a wise play here. The Pirates' offense might not give him enough run support either, potentially keeping him on a shorter leash. All signs point to a night where Martinez's strikeout numbers fall short, making the under a compelling choice in this intriguing duel.

Chandler Simpson (NA) Under 1.5 Hits (-256)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Pirates welcome the Rays to PNC Park, all eyes will be on Chandler Simpson. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance, facing Tampa Bay’s pitching staff is no easy task. The Rays boast an impressive strikeout rate, particularly against right-handed hitters, which bodes well for their ace on the mound today. Simpson has struggled to find his rhythm lately, averaging just over half a hit per game in recent series. He’s facing a tough matchup against a Tampa Bay bullpen that’s allowed fewer than four hits per nine innings in the past month. Given their ability to neutralize opposing batters, it’s reasonable to expect Simpson to fall short of that 1.5 hit mark. With the Pirates’ offense struggling to generate consistent production, taking the under on Simpson's hits seems like a wise move in this intriguing matchup.

Spencer Horwitz (TOR) Over 0.5 Hits (-156)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Pittsburgh Pirates gear up to face the Tampa Bay Rays, all eyes should be on Spencer Horwitz. This young hitter has been on a tear lately, consistently finding gaps and turning pitches into base hits. With the Rays’ pitching staff showing some vulnerability, particularly against left-handed batters, Horwitz’s chances of getting at least one hit look promising. The Pirates have been scoring well lately, bolstered by a lineup that thrives on getting runners on base. Horwitz, in particular, has demonstrated a knack for making solid contact, and with the Pirates averaging over five runs per game in recent outings, the opportunities are ripe. Given the trends and his position in the lineup, expecting him to go over 0.5 hits feels not just reasonable, but quite likely. Keep your eye on him as he steps into the batter's box; the numbers are leaning heavily in favor of a productive night.

See All Our Picks

You're viewing a preview. Subscribe today to unlock the full article and gain access to all our expert insights and best bets - every single day.

Get Bet Better Pro