The Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins clash Tuesday in game 1 of an MLB series at Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays look for a win after winning 8 of their last 10 games. The Rays are currently holding onto the first AL wild card spot. The Rays pitching staff is 6th in ERA (3.87), 2nd in WHIP (1.19) and 17th in quality starts (43). The Rays’ offense is 4th in runs per game (5.33), 4th in batting average (.262) and 3rd in homers (191). Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 141 hits and 66 RBI, while Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena have combined for 243 hits and 130 RBI. Aaron Civale gets the ball, and he is 6-3 with a 2.59 ERA and 78 strikeouts this season. This will be Civale’s first career game against the Marlins.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

• The Rays have won eight of their last nine games as underdogs against the Marlins following a win.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last 12 games as underdogs against the Marlins.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven Tuesday games against the Marlins.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Miami Marlins Betting Preview

The Marlins need a win after losing 6 of their last 8 games. The Marlins are 3 games back in the NL wild card race. The Marlins pitching staff is 16th in ERA (4.17), 13th in WHIP (1.27) and 18th in quality starts (43). The Marlins’ offense is 27th in runs per game (4.02), 7th in batting average (.258) and 28th in homers (126). Luis Arraez leads the Marlins with 171 hits and 58 RBI, while Bryan De La Cruz and Jorge Soler have combined for 232 hits and 134 RBI. Sandy Alcantara gets the ball, and he is 6-11 with a 4.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts this season. Alcantara is 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 30 strikeouts in his career against the Rays.

Miami Marlins Team Facts

• The Marlins have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a win.
• The Marlins have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
• The Marlins have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games as favorites against American League opponents.
• The Marlins have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last seven games as favorites.
• The Marlins have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Miami Marlins ranks 28th in the league for home runs this season (126).
• The Miami Marlins ranks 28th in the league for RBI’s this season (500).
• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.232).
• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 2nd in the league for steals this season (138).

Randy’s Pick

The Rays are the safer pick in this spot and both teams are motivated, with the Rays fighting for an AL East crown and the Marlins fighting for a wild card spot. With that said, I have to lean toward the Marlins at home with Sandy Alcantara on the mound. Yes, Alcantara hasn’t been great this season, but he’s still a pitcher who won the CY Young last season and has been his best at home with a 3.61 ERA and .224 allowed batting average. I still believe Alcantara can put together a winnable effort to get the Marlins on track. I’ll lay the cheap price.