Rays at Marlins Preview

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Miami Marlins on Friday night at loanDepot Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. under a forecast of 75 degrees and rain.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen (4-2) is expected to start for Tampa Bay. Miami has not announced a starter, though right-hander Max Meyer (5-1) is likely after his most recent outing.

The Rays (36-23) lead the season series 2-1 after taking two of three at home May 15-17. Tampa Bay won 7-2 and 6-3, while Miami won 10-5.

Both teams enter on opposite notes. The Rays dropped the opener of a three-game set against Detroit 7-2 on Wednesday. Right-hander Mason Englert took the loss despite allowing one earned run over five innings. Center fielder Cedric Mullins homered, and designated hitter Yandy Díaz drove in a run.

Miami (29-34) completed a three-game sweep at Washington with a 4-1 win Wednesday. Meyer earned the victory, throwing seven innings of two-hit ball with one earned run and seven strikeouts. Closer Pete Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth, and center fielder Esteury Ruiz homered.

Players to watch:

Englert has been effective in limited work. He allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings across two outings since June 1, including his start Wednesday when he scattered four hits with three strikeouts.

Meyer has been dominant over his past four starts. The right-hander posted a 1.45 ERA in that span, striking out 30 over 24 2/3 innings. He held the Mets to one hit over seven scoreless frames in a 4-1 win May 23.

The Rays have lost four of their past five games. Miami has won four straight.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Marlins victory. Tampa Bay is a -1.5 favorite on the run line. The over/under is 7.5.

The two teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday. Tampa Bay then returns home to host Boston for three games. Miami hosts Arizona for three games after the series.