MLB Prop Bets: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays (April 17, 2026)
The Tampa Bay Rays (11-7) face the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) at PNC Park on Friday at 6:45pm (ET). Let's take a look at the MLB Prop Bets for the matchup. Nick Martinez is the probable pitcher for the Rays, while Bubba Chandler is the probable pitcher for the Pirates. The Pirates are favored to win at -143, while the Rays are at +119. The total runs line is set at 8.5, with OVER at -105 and UNDER at -115.
- The Rays (-175) have an 11-7 Run Line record this season, while the Pirates (+144) hold a record of 12-7.
- The Rays have a 12-4-2 O/U record this season (meaning 12 games have gone over the total runs line, four have gone under and two have resulted in a push). The Pirates have a 10-9-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Rays are averaging 5.1 runs per game this season (T8th in the league). Comparatively, the Pirates are averaging 5.0 (10th).
- In the field, the Rays are allowing 5.1 runs per game this season (24th in the league), while the Pirates are allowing an average of 4.0 runs (T7th).
Let's take a look at how these teams perform in some other key statistical areas.
Batting Insights:
Batting Average
- Looking at their batting averages this season, the Rays are at .264 (ranking 3rd in the Major leagues), while the Pirates are batting .252 (7th).
Home Runs
- In terms of total home runs this season, the Pirates have hit 21 (T7th in the Major Leagues). Meanwhile, the Rays have managed 16 (T21st).
Runs Batted In
- Finally, looking at their runs batted in, the Rays have recorded 86 RBIs to rank T9th in the MLB this season. Comparatively, the Pirates have recorded 92 RBIs to rank 7th.
Pitching Insights:
Earned Run Average
- The Pirates have an earned run average of 3.27 this season (4th in the Majors), while The Rays have an ERA of 4.38 (22nd).
Strikeouts
- Turning our attention to total strikeouts, the Pirates have recorded an impressive 182 this season, ranking T5th in the MLB. Contrastingly, the Rays rank 29th for total strikeouts, recording only 139.
Opponent Batting Average
- Opponents are batting an average of .221 against the Pirates this season (4th in the Major Leagues). Comparatively, the Rays' opponents are at .223 (6th).
First Innings Moneyline
- Here are their first innings moneyline records in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 5-2-11 | 1-1-4 | 4-1-7 | 2-2-8 | 3-0-3 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-7 |
| Pirates | 5-3-11 | 2-2-6 | 3-1-5 | 3-2-4 | 2-1-7 | 0-0-0 | 2-2-6 |
Lead After Three Innings
- Here are their records after the first three innings in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 10-5-3 | 3-1-2 | 7-4-1 | 6-5-1 | 4-0-2 | 0-0-0 | 5-3-2 |
| Pirates | 9-2-8 | 4-1-5 | 5-1-3 | 5-1-3 | 4-1-5 | 0-0-0 | 4-1-5 |
NRFI/YRFI
- The NRFI is 10-8 in Rays games this season. The Pirates have an 11-8 NRFI record.
Last Time They Met
The Pirates recorded a 4-2 victory over the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field when these teams last met on April 2, 2025. Oneil Cruz was unstoppable in that matchup, hitting a home run, a single and recording 2 RBIs. That result snapped the Rays' three-game winning streak against the Pirates.
