The Miami Marlins (55-74) host the Tampa Bay Rays (71-57) at loanDepot park on Wednesday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the two-game Interleague series. The Rays took Tuesday’s series opener 7-2, their sixth straight head-to-head victory, including all three games this season. JT Chargois got the win with one scoreless inning of relief. Jose Siri was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored three runs and drove in two. Randy Arozarena went 3 for 5 with a home run and two runs. Jerar Encarnacion went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs for the Marlins.
ON THE MOUND
Drew Rasmussen (9-4, 2.82 ERA) is set to take the mound for Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 8-3 road win over the Angels on Thursday. He earned the win, giving up six hits while striking out nine and walking one. Rasmussen has made one previous start against the Marlins this season, a 5-4 home victory on May 25. He surrendered three runs on six hits over five innings, striking out seven and walking two. Southpaw Trevor Rogers (4-10, 5.85 ERA) will toe the rubber for Miami. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. In his last start on July 25, Rogers took the loss on the road against the Reds. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits, striking out five and walking two in the 11-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged 7.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, while performing better across the board (.291/.348/.505). Against left-handed pitchers like Rogers this season, the Rays have a .700 OPS. Harold Ramirez is the team’s biggest on-base threat against left-handers with a .404 OBP in 104 at-bats. Miami is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.6 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.190/.249/.286). The Fish have a .681 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .793 OPS over 265 at-bats, Garrett Cooper has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 29-34 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Miami has lost three in a row in front of their home fans. The Fish are 26-37 at home this season, averaging 3.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 meetings at loanDepot park, Tampa Bay is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.4-2.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays are second in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Yankees. The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 26 games behind the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Tampa Bay Rays
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
