Because Pepiot was already slated to pitch Saturday’s second game of the season, moving him up a day was the easiest option for the Rays, then sliding in Zack Littell to pitch Game 2 and keeping the rest of the rotation intact.

For Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot, it was a complicated mix of emotions. He was elevated to Opening Day starter, which he equated to a childhood dream, and he’ll be charged with setting the season’s positive tone.

Manager Kevin Cash, who called his starters' performance "pretty incredible," will watch the rotation return to the top, meaning right-hander Ryan Pepiot (0-0, 1.50 ERA) will square off against Skenes in a matchup of fireballers.

In the wake of Shane McClanahan's injury scare on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays have decided to pivot and make Ryan Pepiot their starting pitcher on Opening Day.

Paul Skenes will be opposed by Ryan Pepiot for Tampa Bay. Last night, Tampa blanked the Bucs, 7-0. Brandon Lowe went yard and drove in three as Tampa rolled to their fourth win in five games. Shane Baz gave up seven hits but pitched six scoreless innings to get his first win of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and a steal in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Cruz launched a solo shot off Tampa starter Ryan Pepiot in the fifth inning,

BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays will try to keep their three-game home win streak intact when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tampa Bay had an 80-82 record overall and a 42-39 record in home games last season. The Rays averaged 7.7 hits per game in the 2024 season with 2.6 extra base hits per game.

Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. ET, with the Pirates on a three-game losing skid.The Pirates are favored away from home (-125) versus the