The Miami Marlins and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This matchup marks game two in a three-game weekend series. In the opener on Friday, the Rangers took a four-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Miami Marlins 

The Marlins played the Phillies this week and didn’t get much going with three losses in four games. In the 4-2 defeat Thursday, Miami’s Bryan De La Cruz managed two hits and a solo homer. On Friday versus Texas, the Marlins had a 2-1 lead early but couldn’t score from there in a 6-2 loss. Josh Bell and Jon Berti (solo homer) each had an RBI. 

George Soriano will take the mound for the Marlins on Saturday. In 11 games (zero starts) this year Soriano has a 1.98 ERA without a decision. In his last seven games Soriano has a 1.56 ERA with three earned runs in 17.1 frames. 

Miami Marlins Team Facts

• The Marlins have lost 11 of their last 12 road games.
• The Marlins have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games against American League opponents following a road loss.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Marlins’ last six day games.
• The Marlins have led after 5 innings in each of their last five Saturday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Marlins have won the first inning in four of their last five games as underdogs against the Rangers.

Miami Marlins Player Prop Facts

• Avisail Garcia has recorded three or more total bases in each of his last four road appearances against the Rangers after playing the previous day.
• Bryan De La Cruz has hit a home run in three of the Marlins’ last four day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Luis Arraez has scored a run in four of his last five appearances at Globe Life Field.
• Avisail Garcia has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances in day games.
• Josh Bell has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with his team as an underdog against AL opponents.
• Luis Arraez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.376) this season.

Texas Rangers 

Over on the Texas side, they did well against the White Sox in their last series with a three-game sweep. The Rangers’ Marcus Semien and Mitch Garver (two RBI) each homered in Thursday’s 5-3 victory. On Friday Texas got two solo homers and three hits from Adolis Garcia. Corey Seager added a solo homer, and Garver had a pair of hits to stay hot. 

As starter for Saturday’s game it’ll be the Rangers’ Jon Gray. In his 19 starts so far Gray is 6-5 with a 3.66 ERA and 89 Ks in 108.1 innings. Gray is 0-3 with a 6.49 ERA in his last seven starts, giving up 25 earned in 34.2 total innings. 

Texas Rangers Team Facts

• The home team has won each of the Rangers’ last seven games.
• The home team has covered the run line in each of the Rangers’ last seven games.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last four home games against National League opponents.
• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last five home games.
• The Rangers have led after 7 innings in each of their last five home games.

Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Mitch Garver has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 10 appearances after playing the previous day.
• Adolis Garcia has hit at least one home run in each of the Rangers’ last three home games against NL East opponents.
• Corey Seager has scored a run in seven of his last eight appearances against the Marlins.
• Marcus Semien has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Rangers’ last four day games.
• Corey Seager has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 16 appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
• Jon Gray has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favourite against NL East opponents.
• Adolis Garcia ranks 6th in the league in Home Runs (28) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Texas Rangers ranks 1st in the league for hits this season (1043).
• The Texas Rangers ranks 1st in the league for RBI’s this season (607).
• The Miami Marlins ranks 2nd in the league for hits this season (999).
• The Miami Marlins ranks 3rd in the league for batting average this season (.264).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m likely going to take a stab on Miami—if they can get the bats going, that is. The Marlins should have some good shots against Gray; in two of his last three starts combined Gray has 11.0 innings with 10 earned runs on 12 hits and six walks (4.1 clean frames in the other start). If Gray continues to struggle Miami should score early. On Friday the Marlins started on a pretty good pace at the plate but ultimately fizzled out. That makes two runs or fewer in four of the last five games for Miami. They’ll have a solid opportunity to turn things around in game two, but I’m probably staying away from this one.