In the last of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (1-4) and the Tampa Bay Rays (1-4) at Marlins Park, Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 2.57 ERA) and Nathan Karns (0-1, 9.53 ERA) take the mound. The Rays won the last game 2-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 12 and will air on SunSports and FSN-FL.
Alvarez is 1-5 with a 4.78 ERA, 20 strikeouts and 11 walks against the Rays in his career. Christian Yelich (.316 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday. The Rays were unsuccessful the last time Karns pitched. He did not do well, pitching, going 5.2 innings, allowing six runs, striking out four and walking four in a 6-5 loss to the Orioles. Kevin Kiermaier (.353 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Miami, a -160 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Tampa Bay. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. The Marlins are 1-3 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -307. They are a perfect 1-0 SU and 1-0 as the favorite against the American League so far. Miami has averaged 10.0 runs per game during interleague play, higher than its season average of 3.2. The Marlins rank fourth in the NL in hits at home with 8.0 per game. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking second in the NL with an average of 3.5 walks per game. Miami’s pitchers struggle against teams that play in the American League. The Marlins have given up an average of 9.0 runs to opponents from the AL, well over their defense’s season average of 6.2.
On the other side, the Rays have started off the season 0-2 when they’re the underdog and are -222 overall with the money line. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging nine runs per game. Tampa Bay is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 10.0 hits per contest. The Rays average 5.2 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.0 strikeouts per road game.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
Miami has won 25% (1-3) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 33% (1-2) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Marlins are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When outhit, the Marlins and the Rays both have records of 0-2.
Ranking 29th in home runs, Miami has hit zero this season. Tampa Bay ranks eighth with five home runs.
Miami and Tampa Bay both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Miami sits at sixth with 8.00 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks eighth with 7.00.
Ranking 23rd, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.544). Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .698.
