Underwhelming Offenses Headline Game 1 of Marlins-Rays Series

It’s a rinse and repeat for the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays might be a couple of games over .500 in the MLB standings, but they’re not confident about this second half of the season.

• Tampa Bay is 8.5 games back of the AL East and 3.5 games back in the AL Wild Card.

Therefore, they’ve traded many key players, including position players Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes. Tampa Bay also unloaded a bunch of relievers before today’s trade deadline.

Tampa Bay typically knows when the right time to sell a player is. Many of their best MLB players are traded when their numbers start to dip. The Rays trade those types of players for prospects that become significant. Then Tampa Bay waits for the end of the prime and gets rid of that player for more prospects.

With a whole new roster, they’ll take on the Miami Marlins in a two-game series starting tonight. The Marlins have also been sellers this deadline.

However, they haven’t even earned 40 wins yet. At 26 games out in the NL East and another 17 baseball games out of the Wild Card, the Marlins need to trade any valuable asset with little control for prospects.

Miami already added a blockbuster trade with the Yankees, sending away Jazz Chisolm Jr., who already has two home runs with New York.

Now that both teams have different-looking rosters, the Rays are still favorites at home for tonight’s first of two games in the Marlins vs Rays preview. Tampa Bay is -162 on the moneyline, with the total currently at 7.5.

Let’s break down Game 1 of this two-game series between the Florida teams.

More Trade Coming For Miami

The MLB Trade Deadline will approach before tonight’s game. Yet, the Marlins likely still have several trades up their sleeve.

Miami is reportedly close to trading closer Tanner Scott and just placed Josh Bell on waivers.

It’s been an unfortunate season for the Marlins, who made the MLB playoffs last year. Ultimately, the starting rotation was injured and is still injured this season. Some of the league’s best pitchers haven’t seen the mound for Miami this season.

That really hurt the Marlins’ potential this year.

Tampa Bay’s Fire Sale

The Rays have already added more than ten prospects before the MLB Trade Deadline. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently wrote an article discussing the Rays’ clinic on selling at the deadline.

As suggested earlier, Tampa Bay has its own system. It’s unlike other teams due to the low budget available.

But while most low-budget MLB teams fail to win games year after year, the Rays always compete and play competitive baseball with a low-tier budget.

This is why they make some really good trades and aren’t afraid to take action to improve the farm system.

Our MLB betting picks for this game are below.

Marlins vs Rays Preview For Game 1:

RL: Rays -1.5 (+130) ML: Rays -162, O/U: 7.5 -110/-110

Marlins vs Rays Preview

⚾ Game 1 ⚾

• Tuesday, 7:10 pm ET
• Edward Cabrera vs. Jeffrey Springs

The Miami Marlins will use Edward Cabrera for tonight’s tilt. Cabrera was one of many pitchers on the MLB injured list this season. However, he’s been back for over a month and has pitched against 176 batters.

The young, promising starter hasn’t looked so sharp this year. Cabrera has a 7.04 ERA and has allowed a .208 ISO and wOBA of .365 to all batters this MLB season. He’s been worse against lefties overall, but over the last month, he’s struggled badly against both sides of the plate.

Cabrera has just added more strikeouts and limited walks better against righties. Over the last month, lefties have socked a .310 ISO and wOBA of .433 against Cabrera, while righties have contributed a .263 ISO and wOBA of .365.

Despite throwing to 176 batters, Cabrera has one win this entire year.

Meanwhile, he’ll take on a Rays offense that has hit just a .122 ISO and wOBA of .278 against righties over the last 30 days. Maybe Cabrera can find success against this Rays offense, which has lost so many weapons due to the trade deadline.

Jeffrey Springs Set For Season Debut

The Rays will start Jeffrey Springs for the first time since April 13, 2023.

Springs had Tommy John surgery and is finally able to pitch again. In his career, he’s holding a 3.40 ERA in 30 games started. He also has a 1.23 WHIP and a 21-10 record overall.

Springs looked terrific in his first three starts for the Rays in 2023. It’ll be interesting to see if he will find that same magic in his return to the mound this year.

Overall, the Marlins have added a .125 ISO and wOBA of .344 against lefties over the last 30 days as a projected lineup. However, with Otto Lopez potentially batting in the three-spot, the Marlins don’t look very appealing offensively.

Don’t expect Springs to pitch a ton of innings tonight. The Rays are always careful in these instances. So don’t go betting on crazy MLB prop bets today with Springs. However, we expect a good outing from Springs and the rest of the bullpen.

Let’s back the Under 7.5 (-110) between these two depleted offenses for our Marlins vs Rays preview. The projected lineups are subject to change, especially with the deadline concluding tonight.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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