Saturday August 29th Rays at Marlins Betting Preview
Close Matchup Expected In Florida
August 29th Rays at Marlins betting is going to be an interesting one. There’s been good baseball played in Florida this season as Tampa Bay is in 1st in the AL East while Miami sits in 2nd on the NL side. Well, most of the Marlins’ strong play has been on the road as they are just 1-6 at home this season.
Oddsmakers are calling Saturday’s meeting a close one, listing Tampa Bay at -105 after taking the series opener 2-0 on Friday. It’s the Marlins listed as -115 favorites though as they seemingly have the pitching edge behind Pablo Lopez (3-1, 1.98 ERA). Tampa’s Josh Fleming (1-0, 3.60 ERA) has been pretty solid too though. The total is 8.5.
Definite Value on Tampa Bay
The betting majority is going to like Tampa Bay in August 29th Rays at Marlins betting and with good reason. Kevin Cash’s team is on a three game win streak and have won 8 of their last 10. The Rays took the series opener 2-0 on Friday but scratched out 10 hits.
There’s not a lot of familiarity with the opposing starters on either side of the diamond on Saturday. Only Ji-Man Choi and Joey Wendle have faced Miami starter Pablo Lopez. Tampa starter Josh Fleming hasn’t faced a batter on the Marlins roster. Manuel Margot has powered the Rays offense over the last week, hitting .429 his last 14 ABs. Tampa Bay has scored 4+ in 5 of their last 7.
The rookie Fleming makes just his second start in the majors. The left-hander is off to a great start though, going 5.0 IP while allowing 2ER to get the win in his debut last Sunday.
Marlins a Solid Wager Behind Lopez?
Miami is a tough team to back on Saturday night strangely enough because they are at home. The Marlins are just 1-6 playing in Miami this season but have won four games on the road but as the ‘home’ team due to COVID makeups. On the flip side, Tampa Bay is 10-1 in their last 11 road games.
Miami’s offense had just five hits in Friday’s series opener. The Marlins have hit just four home runs as a team over the last week with Corey Dickerson banging out half of those. Miami hits just .226 as a team vs. LH pitching and have dropped 5 of 6 against a southpaw starter. The under has cashed in four straight Marlins games vs. a lefty starter.
The one reason to like the Marlins on Saturday is a big one – Lopez. The right-hander is coming off five innings of shutout ball and has allowed 2ER or less in all five of his 2020 outings. Lopez had a 5.09 ERA in 21 starts a year ago but has dialed that down to 1.98 this season.
August 29th Rays at Marlins Betting Pick
The Marlins are a strange favorite (albeit slightly) considering their poor home record, a two-game losing streak, and the fact they are just 5-5 over their last 10. The Rays are hot and have built a 4-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. Tampa Bay has also been very good on the road. Solid value on a Tampa Bay play
Free Pick: Rays -105
