Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners Prediction 9-7-23 MLB Picks

The Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays clash Thursday in game 1 of an MLB series at Tropicana Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Seattle Mariners Betting Preview

The Mariners need a win after losing 5 of their last 8 games. The Mariners are currently holding onto the second AL wild card spot. The Mariners pitching staff is 1st in ERA (3.72), 1st in WHIP (1.18) and 2nd in quality starts (66). The Mariners' offense is 10th in runs per game (4.79), 19th in batting average (.244) and 11th in homers (184). Julio Rodriguez leads the Mariners with 159 hits and 93 RBI, while Teoscar Hernandez and Ty France have combined for 273 hits and 139 RBI. Luis Castillo gets the ball, and he is 11-7 with a 3.19 ERA and 183 strikeouts this season. Castillo is 0-0 with a 3.46 ERA and 14 strikeouts in his career against the Rays.

Seattle Mariners Team Facts

• The Mariners have won each of their last nine night games following a road win.
• The Mariners have covered the run line each of their last 12 games at Tropicana Field against teams that held a winning record.
• The Mariners have led after 5 innings in each of their last 10 road night games.
• The Mariners have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites.
• The Mariners have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last six games as road favorites against AL East opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays look to stay hot after winning 11 of their last 15 games. The Rays are comfortably the top wild card spot in the AL. The Rays pitching staff is 4th in ERA (3.82), 2nd in WHIP (1.18) and 18th in quality starts (45). The Rays' offense is 4th in runs per game (5.35), 8th in batting average (.259) and 4th in homers (200). Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 147 hits and 67 RBI, while Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco have combined for 249 hits and 136 RBI. Zack Littell gets the ball, and he is 3-4 with a 4.69 ERA and 52 strikeouts this season. This will be Littell’s second career game against the Mariners.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

• The Rays have won each of their last three games as underdogs.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last 10 games between the Mariners and Rays at Tropicana Field.
• The Rays have led after 7 innings in 12 of their last 16 games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Rays' last four night games at Tropicana Field.
• The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last four Thursday games as underdogs.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.231).
• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for runs allowed this season (558).
• The Seattle Mariners ranks 1st in the league for walks allowed this season (346).
• The Seattle Mariners ranks 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1382).

Randy’s Pick

The Rays are probably more trustworthy at home, especially given this hot streak they've been on these last 2 weeks. However, the Mariners have a clear edge at starting pitching in this matchup. Zack Littell has allowed 17 runs in his last 23.2 innings and has a 6.04 ERA when he pitches at home. Luis Castillo has a 3.19 ERA and 1.03 WHIP on the season, making him arguably a top-10 pitcher in baseball this season. The Mariners as a team have to get it together, but I still like them here with the starting pitching advantage.