MLB Predictions: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The Arizona Diamondbacks (54-51) and Tampa Bay Rays (63-43) will open up a two-game interleague series at Tropicana Field Tuesday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are the hottest team in baseball

Arizona went 3-4 on its recently completed seven-game homestand, which ended with a 1-0 setback to the San Diego Padres as -180 favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8.5. The Diamondbacks will now face teams currently with a winning record in 18 of their next 21 games, which could decide their fate in the NL West standings. “We haven’t played our best baseball recently,” commented Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin. Arizona is 4-2 as road underdogs of +150 to +175 this season, with no edge in terms of the total (3-3 Over/Under).

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (3-7, 5.22 ERA) has watched the club drop his last four outings, including no-decision effort in a 7-6 home defeat to the Chicago Cubs last time out, as he allowed six runs (two earned) and six hits over five frames. The right-hander is 1-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 12 road outings this season, surrendering 12 home runs in 70.1 combined frames. In five career games versus the Rays, Kennedy has tallied a 1-3 record and 6.66 ERA.

Tampa Bay finished its 10-game road trip with an 8-2 record, as it picked up a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox as -110 favorites Monday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8. “It’s been a nice little run,” commented Rays manager Joe Maddon. The Rays have won 18 of their last 21 games, which has made them the hottest team in baseball over that span. Tampa Bay is 9-3 as home favorites of -150 to -175 this season, with the OVER going 7-5 in those 12 opportunities.

Rays starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez (5-11, 4.92 ERA) suffered a 6-2 road defeat to the Red Sox last time out, as he surrendered three runs and seven hits over five frames last time out. The right-hander is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 10 home games this season, surrendering nine home runs in 61.1 combined innings. Hernandez will be making his first career start versus the Diamondbacks.