Rays host the Nationals in first of 3-game series

Updated Jun. 28, 2024 4:00 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Washington Nationals (38-42, fourth in the NL East) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (40-41, fourth in the AL East)

St. Petersburg, Florida; Friday, 6:50 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Mitchell Parker (5-3, 3.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 58 strikeouts); Rays: Zach Eflin (3-5, 4.20 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 63 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Rays -161, Nationals +136; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays host the Washington Nationals to start a three-game series.

Tampa Bay has a 40-41 record overall and a 21-24 record in home games. The Rays have a 25-6 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

Washington has a 38-42 record overall and a 21-23 record on the road. The Nationals have a 25-10 record in games when they scored five or more runs.

The matchup Friday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.

TOP PERFORMERS: Isaac Paredes has 15 doubles and 12 home runs for the Rays. Yandy Diaz is 17-for-46 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.

Lane Thomas has eight doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 34 RBI for the Nationals. Jesse Winker is 8-for-27 with a double and three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 7-3, .267 batting average, 3.89 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs

Nationals: 4-6, .248 batting average, 4.95 ERA, outscored by four runs

INJURIES: Rays: Brandon Lowe: day-to-day (toe), Richard Lovelady: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jacob Waguespack: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jeffrey Springs: 60-Day IL (elbow), Drew Rasmussen: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (forearm)

Nationals: Joey Gallo: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Trevor Williams: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Josiah Gray: 15-Day IL (elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Ferrer: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.