Rays vs Pirates: Road Streak on the Line

0:00It's April 17th, MLB News. Today starts now, AI powered and game ready. I'm Cory with the story. Tampa Bay Rays, sitting pretty at 11 wins and seven losses atop the American League East, faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11 and, eight, second in the National League Central. It's going down Friday at 6.45 PM Eastern in Pittsburgh with Rays Nick Martinez on the mound, zero wins, zero losses, 2.16. ERA against Pirates' Bubba Chandler, zero N1 with a 3.86 ERA. Rays are trying to stretch their five game road win streak. Both squads been hot lately. Rays seven and five on the road overall. Pirate six and four at home. Pittsburgh thrives when they drop five or more runs, going six and three in those spots. While Tampa Bay boasts the second best on base percentage in, the AL at 341. This marks their first matchup of the season. Fans buzzing about the slugger stepping up.

1:01Pirates 1-0 crews with five homers and four doubles. Rays' junior Caminero leading with four bombs and slugging 449. Over the last 10 games, both teams split even on run differential. Pirates five and five with a 262 average. Rays eight and two at two. 60. Injuries hitting hard though. Pirates missing Jared Triollo on the 10 day with a knee issue and Jared Jones 60 day elbow. Rays dealing with a slew. Like Ryan Peppie I's 60 day hip, plus shoulder and elbow ailments across the board. Bending line has pirates as 140 favorites, over under eight and a half runs. Keep an eye on this interleague clash. Could shake up both divisions early. Rays chasing momentum. Pirates defending home turf.