The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18, 2026. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet PT.
The Pirates are favored by -174 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Rays are +146 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 7 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Rays vs Pirates prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Rays vs Pirates Prediction
- Rays vs Pirates Pick: Rays ML (+140 or Better)
My Rays vs Pirates best bet is on Tampa Bay to win. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Rays vs Pirates Odds
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -146 | 7 -122o / -100u | +146 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +122 | 7 -122o / -100u | -174 |
- Rays vs Pirates moneyline: Rays +146, Pirates -174
- Rays vs Pirates over/under: 7 (-122o / +100u)
- Rays vs Pirates spread: Pirates -1.5 (+122), Rays +1.5 (-146)
Rays vs Pirates Probable Pitchers
| Drew Rasmussen (RHP) | Stat | Paul Skenes (RHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | W-L | 3-1 |
| 0.4 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.2 |
| 1.13 / 2.49 | ERA / xERA | 4.00 / 2.43 |
| 2.84 / 2.59 | FIP / xFIP | 4.10 / 4.19 |
| 0.56 | WHIP | 0.94 |
| 27.1% | K-BB% | 15.3% |
| 45.0% | GB% | 46.7% |
| 103 | Stuff+ | 103 |
| 124 | Location+ | 108 |
Rays vs Pirates MLB Betting Preview
This game triggered one of our Action PRO systems, powered by Evan Abrams.
This system fades elite teams (60%+ win rate) when public money is heavily skewed against the underdog (≤35% backing).
It targets road underdogs on minor losing streaks (one to three games) in regular-season spots.
The idea is that betting markets often overprice good teams, especially at home, creating value on contrarian visitors.
Despite a low win rate, big plus-money payouts generate positive ROI.
Rays vs Pirates Pick, Betting Analysis
Is Paul Skenes OK? Although his past three starts have been fine on the surface (17 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 17 K, 5 BB), his velocity and stuff ratings are still down considerably. His strikeout rate is currently down 8% from two seasons ago.
On the whole, I believe the Rays are undervalued. They're a pretty well-rounded team.
Plus, Drew Rasmussen is piecing together a potential breakout season (1.13 ERA, 2.59 xFIP, 27.1% K-BB, 103 Stuff+, 124 Location+, 122 Pitching+).
My worry about Skenes, my bullishness on Tampa, Rasmussen's underlying profile, and our Bet Labs system all make me very interested in backing the Rays as moderate road pups on Saturday.
Pick: Rays ML (+140 or Better)
