First Pitch: 4:05 PM ET
Venue: PNC Park — Pittsburgh, PA Coverage: ESPN Unlimited / MLB.TV
Weather Update
Temperature: 85°F at gametime
Wind: Light SE breeze (4 mph)
Conditions: Warm, hitter‑friendly environment
Injury Report
Tampa Bay Rays
Austin Vernon — 7‑Day IL
Ty Johnson — 7‑Day IL
John Rooney — 7‑Day IL
Logan Driscoll — 7‑Day IL
Garrett Cleavinger — 15‑Day IL
Pittsburgh Pirates
Anthony Solometo — 7‑Day IL
Jared Triolo — 10‑Day IL
Jared Jones — 60‑Day IL
Mike Clevinger — 7‑Day IL
Oddanier Mosqueda — 60‑Day IL
Team Records & Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays (11–8)
Away Record: 7–6
Last 5: L, W, W, W, W
Team Stats:
5.1 runs/game
.264 AVG, .341 OBP, .394 SLG
91 runs, 165 hits, 16 HR
4.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Pittsburgh Pirates (12–8)
Home Record: 7–4
Last 5: W, L, W, L, W
Team Stats:
5.0 runs/game
.255 AVG
22 HR
3.16 ERA, .218 opponent AVG
Probable Pitching Matchup
TB — Drew Rasmussen (RHP)
Record: 1–0
ERA: 1.13
WHIP: 0.56
IP: 16.0
K/BB: 17 K / 1 BB
HR Allowed: 2
Rasmussen has been dominant, allowing only 8 hits in 16 innings. His elite command and low WHIP make him a strong matchup against a power‑oriented Pirates lineup.
PIT — Paul Skenes (RHP)
Record: 3–1
ERA: 4.00
WHIP: 0.94
IP: 18.0
K/BB: 18 K / 7 BB
HR Allowed: 2
Skenes has electric stuff and a high strikeout ceiling, but his walk rate introduces volatility. Still, his 0.94 WHIP shows he limits hits exceptionally well.
Key Player Matchups
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Díaz: .365 AVG, 16 RBI — elite contact and OBP machine
Junior Caminero: 4 HR — primary power threat
Pittsburgh Pirates
Brandon Lowe: 7 HR, 18 RBI — team’s top power bat
Oneil Cruz: 6 HR, 19 RBI — explosive left‑handed slugger
Series History & Context
Pirates lead the series 1–0 after a 5–1 win on April 17.
Rays had won four straight before yesterday’s loss.
Pirates have won three of their last five and sit atop the NL Central.
Betting Trends
Rays bullpen: 70% save rate, 13 holds
Pirates: 7–4 at home, strong run prevention (3.16 ERA)
Matchup Predictor: PIT 65.2%, TB 34.8%
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 7
Pittsburgh Pirates – 171
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 17, 2026
