The Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays will wrap up their interleague series on Wednesday at Tropicana Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET.
Miami (54-47 SU and 47-52 RL) is starting righty Sandy Alcantara. The 27-year-old is 3-9 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 20 outings this year.
Tampa Bay (61-42 SU and 52-49 RL) is countering with right-hander Zach Eflin. The 29-year-old is 11-5 with a 3.36 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in his 19 starts.
*Article published before the conclusion of Tuesday's game.
Mike Briggs is your trusted sports capper at Winners and Whiners. With a keen eye for value, he'll find you the top selections in baseball, basketball, and football. Bet with Mike now!
Miami surprised many pundits with its first half but has come out of the All-Star break flat. Have the Fins been underachieving or was their first-half performance a fluke?
The Marlins average 4.10 runs (27th) and hit .264 (4th) with a .720 OPS (18th). They've hit 91 home runs (26th) and stolen 58 bases (23rd) this year. The Miami pitching staff has posted a 4.11 ERA (13th) and a 1.27 WHIP (15th) with 32 quality starts (19th).
Arraez really said “I can be your hero, baby” @budweiserusa x #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/FsZWoQaGsX
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 24, 2023
Alcantara will take the hill for the visitors on Wednesday afternoon in St. Petersburg. The reigning Cy Young Award winner has had a rough season, allowing eight or more hits in five of his last seven outings. His ERA has flirted with 5.00 all year and he's lost three of his last four starts. Have opposing hitters figured out the seventh-year pro?