Rays vs Diamondbacks Pick: D-Backs’ Burnes Tries to Tame Tampa (Apr 24)

• Our Rays vs Diamondbacks pick gauges Arizona, with Corbin Burnes taking the mound, battling visiting Tampa Bay, starting Drew Rasmussen
• Arizona is in MLB‘s toughest division, the NL West, and is holding its own
• Tampa has grown accustomed to annual contention, but they are currently jockeying to stay out of last place with the Orioles

Rays’ Rasmussen Has Had an All-Star-Caliber Start

Drew Rasmussen has long been underrated. Finally, in 2025, he’s pitching well enough to get his due. He has pitched at least 5 innings in all 4 of his starts. His ERA is 0.87. In 20.2 innings, he has struck out 22 batters and walked only 5. In total, he has surrendered 2 earned runs.

The only Diamondbacks hitter with significant experience against Rasmussen is Lourdes Gurriel Jr. He is 4 for 11 with a home run.

The Rays’ offense has been top heavy with Jonathan Aranda, Kameron Misner, and Jake Mangum carrying the load. All are hitting nearly .350. Aranda and Misner OPS of over 1.000. The rest of their offense is struggling. For example, veteran Yandy Diaz is batting in the low .200s.

Burnes Has Rebounded After 2 Shaky Outings

The D-Backs signing the former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes was something of a surprise given their payroll constraints. The decision was immediately questioned after Burnes’ first two starts. in 9.1 innings, he gave up 8 earned runs and 11 hits. His subsequent two starts were better, pitching 12 innings and giving up 5 runs.

They are hoping for more from their $210 million man.

Burnes has some experience against the Rays from his time with the Orioles. Jose Caballero is 3 for 8 in his career against the righty. Yandy Diaz is 2 for 6. Christopher Morel is 3 for 13 with a home run.

Corbin Carroll is back in Rookie of the Year form for the D-Backs. His OPS is well over 1.000 and is playing superlative defense, having accrued a 1.4 bWAR in the first month of play.

Josh Naylor has been a tremendous pickup with an OPS of more than .950. Eugenio Suarez and Gurriel are struggling at the plate, but still hitting with some power with a combined 10 homers between them.

Rays vs Diamondbacks Pick: Rasmussen Will Maintain His Hot Pitching

Although Burnes has pitched better in his last two starts, he has still been somewhat shaky. Rasmussen, on the other hand, has been brilliant all season. He will continue that trend and tame the snakes.