Oakland Athletics at Tampa Bay Rays 4/14/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Thursday MLB schedule will get underway with a matchup between the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays from Tropicana Field. The Athletics (3-3) unloaded another of key players during the offseason and figure to to take a step back in the AL West Division race. Last night, C Sean Murphy crushed a three-run blast to power Oakland to a 4-2 road victory against Tampa Bay. 

Twenty-eight year old left-hander Cole Irvin (0-1 6.75 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics in this matchup. In his first start, Orvin gave up four runs in five plus innings during a 4-2 road loss against Philadelphia.

The Tampa Bay Rays have won four of their first six home games and figure to challenge for the AL East Division title. During Wednesday's home loss, Tampa Bay 3B Yandy Diaz collected three hits and scored a run. The Rays (4-2) went 1-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base in defeat. 

Twenty-six year old right-hander Drew Rasmussen (0-0 4.50 ERA) will make his 12th career major league start. Through 95 plus innings, Rasmussen has struck out 97 batters and allowed just nine home runs.