Rays vs Mets predictions
If you’re looking for Rays players primed to make some noise at Citi Field, keep an eye on Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. Aranda’s been on a tear lately, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him grab a couple of hits and possibly drive in a run or two—his sweet lefty swing just seems to click right now. Junior Caminero, meanwhile, is the power threat lurking in the lineup; his ability to go deep or drive the ball to the gaps makes him a tough out for any pitcher. Both Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe offer solid contact, so it’s not hard to picture the Rays stringing together a few base knocks and keeping pressure on Griffin Canning all night. And don’t sleep on Josh Lowe, especially if there’s a chance to swipe a bag—Tampa hasn’t led the league in stolen bases by accident.
Meanwhile, the Mets have their own heavy hitters looking to avoid a sweep. Pete Alonso, ever the main attraction, is always a threat to launch one into the seats, and you can bet he’ll be gunning for an RBI or two with his track record. Francisco Lindor is another guy who pops off the stat sheet—his ability to get on base and generate runs could give Baz some real headaches. Add to that Brandon Nimmo’s knack for working walks and getting hits, plus Jeff McNeil’s steady bat, and suddenly the Mets' order looks just as dangerous. One interesting matchup is how Starling Marte’s speed might feature; if he gets on, watch out for a stolen base or a well-timed extra-base hit to spark a rally.
With the Rays up 2-0 in the series, momentum’s definitely leaning their way, but the Mets’ relentless lineup and home-field edge at Citi Field make this finale anything but a lock. It feels like another tight contest is brewing, but with the way Tampa keeps manufacturing runs and utilizing their team speed, I’m tilting toward the Rays edging out a close one and completing the sweep. Of course, that Mets offense can flip the script in a hurry, so expect some late-inning drama—would you really want it any other way?
