Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Prediction for Sunday, June 28, 2026
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The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Sunday at 1:40 PM ET on MLB.TV. Arizona is 41-40 and third in the NL West, while Tampa Bay is 46-33 and second in the AL East. The Rays opened the series with a convincing 6-1 victory Friday night and have now won three straight games. Arizona has dropped three of its last five contests after splitting a four-game series in St. Louis before arriving in Tampa. Check out today's free MLB picks.
Arizona Diamondbacks Preview
Arizona struggled offensively in Friday's 6-1 loss, managing just one run after entering the series with back-to-back victories over the Cardinals. The Diamondbacks are 17-23 on the road this season and continue battling to stay above .500 while chasing both the Dodgers and Padres in the National League West.
The Diamondbacks are hitting .239 with a .309 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage, producing 347 runs on 643 hits through 81 games. Ketel Marte leads the lineup with 13 home runs and 47 RBI, while Corbin Carroll is batting .282 with a .366 on-base percentage and .543 slugging percentage. Gabriel Moreno is hitting .283 with six home runs, Ildemaro Vargas has driven in 44 runs, and Nolan Arenado has added eight home runs and 33 RBI. Arizona has totaled 72 home runs while averaging just over 4.2 runs per game.
Arizona's pitching staff owns a 4.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while allowing opponents to bat .250. The Diamondbacks have recorded 556 strikeouts but have struggled to consistently limit traffic on the bases against stronger offensive clubs.
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Injuries: Juan Centeno, OUT, James McCann, 10-Day IL, A.J. Vukovich, 60-Day IL, Derek Law, 7-Day IL, Jordan Lawlar, 10-Day IL
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
Tampa Bay has been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past week. The Rays have won three consecutive games after taking the opener against Arizona and previously winning two of three against Kansas City. Tampa Bay has been especially strong at home, compiling a 29-12 record at Tropicana Field entering Sunday's finale.
The Rays are hitting .258 with a .335 on-base percentage and .389 slugging percentage, scoring 357 runs on 681 hits. Junior Caminero leads the club with 20 home runs, while Jonathan Aranda has collected 55 RBI. Yandy Díaz continues to anchor the lineup with a .334 batting average and .416 on-base percentage, while Chandler Simpson has added 19 stolen bases. Tampa Bay averages 4.5 runs per game and continues receiving contributions throughout the lineup.
The Rays have also been one of the better pitching teams in baseball, posting a 3.84 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .236 batting average. Tampa Bay has piled up 625 strikeouts and continues receiving quality innings from both its starting rotation and bullpen.
Injuries: Austin Vernon, 7-Day IL, Alfredo Zarraga, 60-Day IL, Tre' Morgan, 7-Day IL, Logan Davidson, 7-Day IL, Luis Guerrero, OUT
Pitching Matchup
Arizona Diamondbacks – Merrill Kelly
Kelly is 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 75.2 innings this season. The veteran right-hander has allowed 84 hits, 31 walks, and 15 home runs while recording 44 strikeouts. Kelly has struggled to keep runners off base and faces a Tampa Bay lineup that consistently puts pressure on opposing pitchers.
Tampa Bay Rays – Drew Rasmussen
Rasmussen is 6-4 with a 2.62 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 86.0 innings. The right-hander has allowed only 61 hits while striking out 89 batters and walking just 15. Rasmussen has been one of the most reliable starters in the American League and continues to give Tampa Bay an excellent chance to win every time he takes the mound.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
Tampa Bay has the clear advantage entering this matchup. The Rays own the stronger lineup, one of the league's better pitching staffs, and have been outstanding at home all season. Rasmussen has been dominant with a sub-3.00 ERA and excellent command, while Kelly has struggled with both run prevention and limiting baserunners. Tampa Bay already handled Arizona comfortably in the series opener and should control this matchup again behind another quality outing from Rasmussen and a balanced offensive attack.
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