P2Live: A Battle Between the Two Best Records in Baseball

SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. – The two best teams in baseball meet this week.

Or, at least the two teams with the best record after the first month of the season.

The Tampa Bay Rays (23-6) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-9) in what looks like a preview of a dream small market World Series. I’ll be covering all three games, with features and game recaps from the big league club.

The Rays are sending Javy Guerra as an opener, while it’s Ro Day for the Pirates.

PIRATES AT RAYS

Game Time: 6:40 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Roansy Contreras (3-1, 3.58)
Rays Starter: Javy Guerra (0-0, 8.64)
Pirates Lineups:

Game 1 in Tampa.

Rays Lineups:

Best in the AL hosts best in the NL#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/nNknN0pHaV

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 2, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS VS IOWA

Game Time: 6:05 PM EST
Projected Starter: Kent Emanuel, LHP (1-1, 9.35)

The Pirates still have some pitching depth in Indianapolis. Luis Ortiz had a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings, striking out 22 batters. The Pirates lost Mike Burrows for the season with Tommy John surgery. They’ve already called upon Johan Oviedo to replace JT Brubaker. Their top prospect, Quinn Priester, isn’t ready yet. If an injury comes up, Ortiz looks like the guy to call upon.

ALTOONA AT RICHMOND

Game Time: 6:35 PM EST
Projected Starter: Kyle Nicolas, RHP (1-2, 4.34)

Henry Davis was named the Pirates Prospects Player of the Month for April, after hitting for a 1.107 OPS and six home runs in the first month of the season. Anthony Murphy wrote about the realistic timeline for Davis.

GREENSBORO AT WINSTON-SALEM

Game Time: 7:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA

Anthony Solometo pitched four shutout innings in his most recent outing on Sunday. In five starts this year, Solometo has a 3.86 ERA in 21 innings, with a 26:13 K/BB ratio. Walks have been his only issue. He had three in his four innings on Sunday. What helps is that he’s unhittable, with a .200 average against.

BRADENTON AT TAMPA

Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA

The Pirates promoted Tres Gonzalez to Greensboro today. The 2022 5th rounder hit .299/.427/.403 in 82 plate appearances with Bradenton. Anthony Murphy wrote about Gonzalez recently, and the success he was having at the plate. Jared Triolo will begin a rehab assignment with Bradenton.