The Tampa Bay Rays meet the Miami Marlins in the opener on Thursday at 4:10 p.m. ET at Marlins Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Marlins odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Tyler Glasnow is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. He was 5-1 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 14.3 K/9 and 3.45 BB/9 in 57 1/3 IP over 11 starts in 2020. Last season, Glasnow faced the Marlins once in St. Petersburg, Fla., allowing three earned runs, four hits and three walks with nine strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision Sept. 6.
RHP Sandy Alcantara is the projected starting pitcher for the Marlins. He was 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 3.21 BB/9 in 42 IP over seven starts in 2020. Alcantara faced the Rays twice last season, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and .225 opponent batting average with two homers allowed in just 10 innings across two starts.
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Rays at Marlins odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rays -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Marlins +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rays -1.5 (+110) | Marlins +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Prediction
Rays 6, Marlins 3
Money line (ML)
The RAYS (-150) are moderate favorites over their Sunshine State rivals from South Florida. Tampa Bay won five of the six games against the Marlins (+135) last season, including a three-game sweep in Miami. The Rays outscored the Marlins 18-7 in that three-game set from Aug. 28-30, 2020, including a 12-7 loss with Alcantara on the mound.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The RAYS -1.5 (+110) covered the run line in each of their three wins in Miami last season, and they’re worth a roll of the dice with Glasnow on the bump assuming the ace duties.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 7.5 (+100) is the way to go here. The Over hit in the final four meetings between these teams last season, and you can expect the Rays offense to generate plenty of offensive opportunities against Alcantara. The Marlins were also much improved last season, going to the playoffs, so they aren’t going to be a pushover like in years past. At even money, the Over is a great value in neutral conditions under the retractable roof.
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