San Diego Padres vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Predictions April 26th 2025

Yandy Diaz Finds His Swing, Sparks Rays’ Winning Streak

The Tampa Bay Rays are catching fire — and Yandy Diaz is at the center of it all.

After a sluggish start to the season, Diaz is heating up at exactly the right time. Over his last three games, Diaz has tallied seven hits and five RBIs, helping Tampa Bay notch three consecutive victories. He continued his strong play Friday night with a critical sacrifice fly that drove in the game’s only run, sealing a 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres.

A few nights ago, Diaz’s batting average was stuck at a disappointing .213. Today, he’s lifted it to a much healthier .250, signaling that the Rays’ veteran slugger is back in business.

“If we could hand-pick somebody to come up, that’s him,” praised Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash after a tough loss earlier this week. “And we would do it again tomorrow night, and have confidence that he’ll get it going.”

It seems that confidence is paying off and our Expert MLB Handicappers are feeling confident too .

Brandon Lowe Looks to Break Through

While Diaz is on the rise, Brandon Lowe remains in search of his breakout moment. The Rays’ second baseman is currently batting .209 and hasn’t hit for extra bases since April 5.

Still, Lowe remains optimistic, joking, “I’ve caught a really bad case of the at-’em balls,” referring to hard-hit balls landing directly into defenders’ gloves. His luck could change soon — and the Rays would certainly welcome another hot bat.

Saturday’s Pitching Matchup: Pepiot vs. Cease

Ryan Pepiot will take the mound for Tampa Bay on Saturday, hoping to continue the Rays’ momentum. Despite a 1-3 record and a 4.82 ERA, Pepiot showed promise in his last start against the Yankees, delivering six solid innings.

Facing him is Dylan Cease, who sports a 1-1 record and a 6.04 ERA for the Padres. Cease pitched five innings of two-run ball against the Astros in his last outing but carries a career 5.40 ERA against the Rays.

Both pitchers will be aiming for a clean outing, but the edge may favor Pepiot, given the Padres’ recent offensive woes. Don’t forget to check our first month special!

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Padres’ Struggles Deepen with Key Injuries

The San Diego Padres are navigating turbulent waters.

They’ve now gone 25 straight innings without scoring, with their last runs coming in a 2-0 win over Detroit on Tuesday. Injuries to critical players like Jackson Merrill (hamstring), Jake Cronenworth (broken rib), and Luis Arraez (concussion) have gutted the lineup.

Manager Mike Shildt offered a glimmer of hope, mentioning that Merrill and reserve outfielder Brandon Lockridge are “getting closer” to returning. Meanwhile, Cronenworth is aiming for an early-to-mid May comeback, even if not at full strength.

To adjust, the Padres have temporarily slimmed down their rotation, sending Kyle Hart to Triple-A and leaning on their off-days to rest starters. As Shildt put it, “Nobody’s going to get compromised.”

Rays Eye Series Win, Padres Search for Answers

With a reinvigorated offense and Diaz leading the charge, Tampa Bay looks poised to clinch the series Saturday night at Petco Park. Meanwhile, the Padres hope to end their scoreless drought and overcome adversity with a depleted roster.

Saturday’s matchup promises high tension, gritty performances, and the ever-important fight for momentum as both teams navigate the early season’s ups and downs.

First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET.