Citrus Series sees Rays and Marlins set for offensive showdown

When: Tuesday, August 29 at 6:40 PM ET
Who: Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins
Starting Pitchers: Aaron Civale and Sandy Alcantara
Where: LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a series win against the Yankees. They are looking to stay in playoff contention, while the Marlins hope to do the same. The Marlins defeated the Nats on Sunday night and would love to continue their winning ways.

Before continuing, please check out our MLB Betting Guide, which will help you prepare for any MLB props you may be interested in.

With the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins locked in an interleague duel, it's time to take a look at some of the best bets for this matchup.

Game Preview

Let's look at the moneyline odds in this matchup between the Marlins and the Rays. The Rays are underdogs to the tune of -101 on the moneyline. The implied probability of the Rays winning this game is 50%.

Money Line
Rays	-109	+103	-101
Marlins	-111	-113	-109

The Rays have won 8 of their last 9 games and appear to have a playoff spot on their mind. While they are still battling with the Orioles for the division lead, they've all but clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Giving our guys more motivation is... a choice. pic.twitter.com/CxV5XtCcBd

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 27, 2023

While everything seems to point towards the Rays winning this one easily, the rivalry aspect will come into play. Although it is interleague play, the fact that they split their matchup earlier this season adds additional intrigue to this game.

I'm fading the Rays tonight and would not recommend betting on them to win this game.

Tampa Bay Rays To win game

-101

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The Marlins might be on a rough stretch, but they're no strangers to turning the tide. They've managed to stay in the playoff picture all season. The stage is set for a Sunshine State showdown as the Tampa Bay Rays roll into South Beach to take on the Miami Marlins.

If you're looking to make a smart play on this game, the over on the total score of 7.5 at an appetizing -110 odds is where it's at. Let's dive into the details and see why this pick is a home run.

Firstly, let's talk about the arms on the mound. Sandy Alcantara is taking the hill for the Marlins, and while he has been performing better over the second half, his performance has been streaky at best.

On the other side, we have Aaron Civale, who, despite not being the most dominant, comes fresh off a start against the Colorado Rockies, where he struck out nine with no walks over five innings.

Sure, the Marlins aren't as toothless as the Rockies, but they've had their fair share of struggles generating runs of late.

I recommend betting on the Marlins to win this game at home.

Miami Marlins To win game

-109

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Total Runs

However, this is where our focus on the over comes into play. While the Marlins have struggled to generate runs, they've shown signs of breaking out of their slump.

They've got a lineup that can turn things around in a hurry, and against Civale, they could find their rhythm. This makes the total score of 7.5 seem a lot more possible.

Total Runs
Over 7.5 Runs	-110	-110	-110
Under 7.5 Runs	-110	-110	-110

Now, let's switch gears and talk about the Rays. Despite their struggles, they still boast the highest team home run rate against left-handed pitching.

This ability to go yard at any time adds an exciting element of unpredictability and could help push the total runs over the line.

Of course, we can't forget about the Rays' bullpen, which can give up runs in a hurry. While their relievers have shown flashes of brilliance, they've also had their fair share of meltdowns.

nd let's not forget, the Marlins will be eager to exploit any weakness they can find.

But let's not just bank on the game script; let's talk numbers. The average total runs scored in a game involving the Rays is 8.2, just above our magic number of 7.5.

Meanwhile, the Marlins aren't too far off, with an average of 7.1 total runs.

name something that lives rent free in your brain: this sequence. ✨ pic.twitter.com/y82IfG14nW

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 27, 2023

So there you have it, folks. With a potent Rays offense, a Marlins team eager to bounce back, and a couple of streaky pitchers on the mound, the over on a total score of 7.5 seems like a bet that's prime to cash.

Remember, though, it's always important to gamble responsibly. The beauty of sports is its unpredictability, which is why we love it and why we bet on it.

So, dig into those pockets, throw down on the over, and enjoy what promises to be a thrilling Sunshine State showdown.

Over 7.5 Runs Tampa Bay Rays vs Miami Marlins

-110

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