The Tampa Bay Rays own the best road record in the Majors, at 38-22, and have won 7 straight on the road. Tonight they will go for 8 when they visit Petco Park to open a 3-game set with the San Diego Padres. Joey Lucchesi is expected to get the nod for the Pads. The young lefty has been steady, at 7-6, with a 4.19 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP, but the Padres are 0-5 in his last 5 starts. Tampa will go with relievers today and Diego Castillo is expected to start the game. Castillo is 2-6, with a 3.50 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and will probably go 1 or 2 innings. The Rays have been crushing lefties, going 4-1 in their last 5. Moreover, they are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games and 7-0 in their last 7 meetings with the Friars. Tampa’s road dominance continues.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS