The Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday night in Miami to open the last series of the season between the in-state rivals. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, with Tampa Bay trying to keep its grip on the AL East and Miami chasing a fourth straight win.
The Rays, listed as a -143 favorite, lead the season series 2-1 after taking the first set in Tampa Bay in mid-May. They arrive at 36-23, just a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees, and have won only two of their last 10 games. Friday also gives Tampa Bay a chance to steady itself after a 7-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, a game in which it managed four hits and saw Cedric Mullins tie the score at 2 with a solo home run in the second inning.
Miami enters at 29-34 and has been better at home, going 18-15. The Marlins also come in with momentum after sweeping the Washington Nationals on the road, capped by a 4-1 win Wednesday afternoon. Max Meyer improved to 6-0 after seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball, and Miami got offense from Esteury Ruiz, who hit a solo homer, and Joe Mack, whose tie-breaking two-run single in the eighth sent the game the Marlins' way.
Ryan Gusto will start for Miami in his first start of the season after making two appearances covering three innings and allowing three runs. Drew Rasmussen goes for Tampa Bay, bringing a 4-2 record and a 3.36 ERA over 59 innings. That matchup adds another layer to a series that has already shifted enough to keep both clubs honest: Tampa Bay is still near the top of the division, but its recent skid has made every game feel heavier than the record suggests.
For the Marlins, the finale is a chance to keep the streak alive and narrow the gap in a season that has left them fourth in the NL East, 13 games behind the Atlanta Braves. For the Rays, it is a road test with first place still in view and little margin to waste. Friday's opener is the last meeting of the season, and both teams know that makes the result carry a little more than one game usually does.
