Rays vs. Marlins Preview
MIAMI, FL (AP) – Following a two-year stretch where Florida struggled to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, the Marlins are once again enjoying some success against their interleague rival.
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Hoping scheduled starter Javier Vazquez can turn things around, the host Marlins look for a third straight victory against David Price and the AL East-leading Rays on Saturday.
Though Florida is 41-33 all-time against Tampa Bay, the Marlins lost 12 of 14 to their in-state foe before going 4-2 last season. They continued that success with a 5-3 win Friday.
According to MLB odds and oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Rays -150 money line favorites for Saturday’s game against the Marlins. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 89% of more than 233 bets for this game have been placed on the Rays -150.
Logan Morrison was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, and Mike Stanton hit his 10th homer as Florida (25-18) avoided a third straight loss by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to post its 14th come-from-behind victory.
“We never give up,” Morrison said. “Just because we’re down, we’re not out.”
Morrison, who missed almost a month with a foot injury, is batting .355 with four homers and 10 RBIs his last 16 games. Stanton has hit .429 with five homers and nine RBIs his last eight contests.
Of the two, only Stanton has faced Price, going 1 for 3 against the Rays left-hander.
Price (5-3, 3.59 ERA) had allowed two earned runs in 16 2-3 innings of his previous two starts before he surrendered five in five innings and left without a decision in a 6-5 win over the Yankees on Monday.
“I didn’t think I had my best stuff, but the team picked me up and that’s what it’s about,” Price said.
That was not the case June 20, when Price allowed three earned runs and struck out nine in six innings of a 4-1 loss at Florida to fall to 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA against the Marlins.
Price will try to help the Rays (25-20) avoid a third loss overall in this contest. Matt Joyce and Casey Kotchman combined for four of the seven hits Friday for Tampa Bay, which has dropped five of seven after winning seven of eight.
All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria is 0 for 7 the last two games and 2 for 12 against Vazquez (2-4, 7.55), who looks to avoid a third straight losing start.
Vazquez has allowed at least one run in the first inning of all eight starts, including the six he gave up over four innings of an 8-4 loss at Washington on Sunday. In his previous start versus Philadelphia, Vazquez yielded five earned runs and did not make it out of the fifth.
“I wish I knew what was going on,” Vazquez said. “It’s just unbelievable what’s going on right now. I’m battling out there. I’m doing my best. I’m trying to make good pitches. But it’s not working.”
The right-hander is 5-5 with a 4.99 ERA in 14 starts versus Tampa Bay, going 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in his last four against the Rays.
Vazquez should be relieved that Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton won’t start after he left Friday’s game with tightness in his left buttock. Upton is batting .474 (9 for 19) with two doubles against Vazquez.
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