Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins Matchup

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The struggling Miami Marlins will look to avoid losing their sixth in a row when they play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Marlins Park. This interleague matchup will get going at 7:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Sun to catch the game.

Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins Odds

Miami (+125) is the home-team underdog against Tampa Bay (-135) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 7 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total now stand at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. The game’s current runline odds sit at +110 for picking the Rays -1.5 runs and -130 for the Marlins +1.5.

The Rays have gone 24-15 SU this year and are 24-15 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.7 units for moneyline gamblers through the early part of the year and 8.8 units ATS. Tampa Bay is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Marlins, on the other hand, are 10-29 SU and 14-25 ATS. They’ve lost 12.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 17.1 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

Marlins games have an over/under record of 17-21-1 so far in 2019. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 17-20-2.

Right-hander Charlie Morton is getting the start for the visiting Rays. Morton is 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA and 56 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Marlins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.

The Marlins are turning to lefty Caleb Smith (3-0, 2.11 ERA), who’s got 56 strikeouts and 12 walks, in addition to a WHIP of 0.89. Smith did not register a start against the Rays in 2018.

Miami’s pitchers have given up 5.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.49, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 5.47 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 10.0 K/9.

The Miami hitters have put up 2.7 runs per contest, including 2.3 per game over its last 10 games and 1.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .211/.270/.251 over its last five matchups and is 0-5 SU during that stretch.

The Marlins’ offense has been led by second baseman Starlin Castro and third baseman Brian Anderson. Castro is slashing .232/.282/.298 with three home runs, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Anderson is hitting .229 with 33 hits, 10 RBIs and five runs.

In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.2 runs per game and its starters own a 2.52 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 10.48 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.40, along with a K-per-9 of 9.34.

The Rays offense has slashed .255/.336/.435 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).

Left fielder Tommy Pham and second baseman Brandon Lowe have led Tampa Bay’s hitters. Pham is slashing .283/.397/.434 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, 15 runs and six stolen bases. Lowe (.288/.340/.545) is up to eight homers, 22 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

The Rays have gained 4.8 units and are 8-3 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to nine that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Marlins have lost 9.1 units and are 10-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 11 of those games, compared to 18 which went under the total.

Rays at Marlins MLB Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes

  • Tampa Bay has recorded 17 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Miami has seven XBH over its last five.
  • The Rays have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
  • The Rays have a team OPS of .771 this season and an OPS of .710 against left-handed pitchers. The Marlins’ OPS stands at .594 overall and .606 against lefties.
  • Tampa Bay has recorded 21.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.
  • The Marlins have lost eight of their last nine games SU.