Tampa Bay Rays vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions July 31st 2024

Rays’ Christopher Morel eyes encore vs. Marlins

The Marlins and Rays face off in an interleague matchup at 6:50 PM ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. The Marlins are 5th in the NL East with a record of 39-67, while the Rays have won two straight and are 4th in the AL East at 54-52.

Tampa Bay is the heavy favorite on the money line, with odds of -174 compared to the Marlins at +147. The over/under line is currently 7.5 runs, and Jeffrey Springs is scheduled to start for the Rays, while the Marlins are going with Edward Cabrera.

Miami vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Rays
• Where: Tropicana Field St. Petersburg
• Date: Tuesday, July 30th
• Betting Odds TB -174 | MIA +147 O/U 7.5

The Marlins Can Win If…

Miami is sending Edward Cabrera to the mound today vs. the Rays. The right-hander has made nine starts this year and has a record of 1-3 with an ERA of 7.04. So far, Cabrera has made one quality start and is coming off an outing in which he gave up three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. He finished with a no-decision in that outing. Opponents are batting .241 off Cabrera this year, and his ERA on the road is 14.1 compared to 5.46 at home. In his last four outings, he has finished with a no-decision in three of them.

Josh Bell and Bryan De La Cruz have been swinging the bat well of late for the Marlins, with Bell hitting .353 over his last nine games with five homers and nine RBIs. De La Cruz has also been hot, going 13/29 in his last nine games. De La Cruz comes into the game with a team-high 51 RBIs and is batting .245 for the season.

As a team, the Marlins are averaging just 3.6 runs per game, which is 29th in the league. They are also one of the worst teams in terms of home runs and have the league’s worst walk rate. Overall, they are batting just .237, which is 16th in the MLB.

• The Marlins are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 5.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 3-7
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Miami has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.1 runs per game on offense

The Rays Can Win If…

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs will be making his fourth start of the season for the Rays, coming off a season in which he went 2-0 in three starts. Springs’ ERA last season was .56, and his WHIP was .50. He allowed just one home run and averaged 1.5 strikeouts per inning. Springs’ FIP last season was 1.82, and he averaged 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Springs’ walks per game average was 1.3, and he averaged 6.0 strikeouts per walk.

Over the past seven games, Randy Arozarena and Brandon Lowe have both been swinging the bat well for the Rays, with Arozarena hitting .333 with three homers and six RBIs, and Lowe also having three homers in this stretch while batting .333. For the season, Isaac Paredes leads the team with 16 homers and 55 RBIs, but he is hitting just .245. Yandy Diaz has been a bit better in terms of batting average, coming in at .270, and he is 2nd on the team with 47 RBIs.

As a team, the Rays are just 20th in home runs and are averaging only 4 runs per game, which is 27th in the league. Their team batting average of .234 is also just 17th in the league. Tampa Bay has been a better offensive team on the road this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game.

• The Rays are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rays are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Rays have an average of 4.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Rays are 4-6
• Looking back across the Rays last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Tampa Bay has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rays have averaged 4.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as this is our lowest projected scoring game of the day. As for who we are leaning on taking for a money line pick, we like the Rays to come out on top. Tampa Bay has the 2nd lowest team hits allowed projection, and Jeffrey Springs is our 13th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts. On the other side, Edward Cabrera has the highest strikeout projection among today’s starters.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins have made significant roster changes in recent days, setting the stage for an exciting series in St. Petersburg, Florida. Newcomer Christopher Morel has already made his mark with the Rays, and both teams are adjusting to their new lineups. This article explores the latest developments and previews the final game of the series.

Christopher Morel’s Impactful Debut

Christopher Morel wasted no time making an impact for the Tampa Bay Rays. In his first game since being traded from the Chicago Cubs, Morel homered and scored twice in the Rays’ 9-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Manager Kevin Cash praised Morel’s engagement and enthusiasm, noting his positive influence on the team.

Versatility of Christopher Morel

Morel’s ability to play multiple positions adds significant value to the Rays. While he played primarily at third base and designated hitter for the Cubs, he has experience in all three outfield spots and both middle infield positions. Morel’s flexibility will be a strategic advantage for the Rays as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Miami Marlins’ Roster Overhaul

The Miami Marlins have been active in the trade market, making several significant moves before the trade deadline. Key players such as first baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Bryan De La Cruz were traded, along with several pitchers. These trades follow the departure of 2022 All-Star outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees. Manager Skip Schumaker emphasized that these changes create opportunities for other players to step up.

Replacing Key Players

One of the biggest challenges for the Marlins is replacing Tanner Scott, who had recorded 18 of the team’s 20 saves this season. Schumaker plans to rely on a mix of relievers, including Andrew Nardi, Anthony Bender, Calvin Faucher, and Declan Cronin, to handle high-leverage situations and closing duties.

Handling Injuries and Setbacks

The Marlins faced additional challenges when starter Edward Cabrera exited the game due to a left knee injury. Reliever Declan Cronin struggled in his place, but Schumaker expressed confidence in Cronin’s ability to recover and perform well in future appearances. The extent of Cabrera’s injury remains uncertain pending further tests.

Final Game Matchup: Rays vs. Marlins

The series finale will feature rookie Roddery Munoz on the mound for the Marlins. Munoz has had a tough season, with a 1-5 record and a 5.61 ERA, struggling particularly in his last ten appearances. On the other hand, the Rays will start Taj Bradley, who enters the game with a 23-inning scoreless streak and a stellar 2.43 ERA. Bradley’s recent performances have been dominant, and he aims to continue his success against the Marlins.

Conclusion

As the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins adjust to their new rosters, Christopher Morel’s impressive debut adds excitement to the series. Both teams are navigating challenges and opportunities, aiming to adapt and thrive. Fans can anticipate an intriguing final game as the series concludes in St. Petersburg.

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