Rays vs Marlins MLB Odds, Picks, and Predictions (June 5)

Published Jun 4, 8:13pm ET by

Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer

Last updated Jun 4, 8:13pm ET

Pick status
baseball

Updated Jun 4, 8:13pm ET

  • The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Miami Marlins on Friday at LoanDepot Park to open a weekend series.
  • Drew Rasmussen takes the mound for Tampa Bay.
  • Ryan Gusto gets the start for Miami.
Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Overview Watch On: MLB TV

DATE & TIME

Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins
LoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
Tampa Bay Rays
GAME ODDS
BetOnline
Miami Marlins -143
Tampa Bay Rays +120

Rasmussen Has Been Exactly What Tampa Bay Needed This Season

Drew Rasmussen is 4-2 with a 3.36 ERA. He has been one of the more reliable starters in the American League all year, and the road has not slowed him down. Tampa Bay is 21-9 in away games. That record reflects a team that does not need home field to win baseball games, and Rasmussen going to Miami with a sub-3.50 ERA fits the profile.

His recent outing against the Guardians was typical: six innings, six strikeouts, one mistake that left the park. He kept the game within reach, trusted the bullpen, and the offense handled the rest. That is the Tampa Bay formula, and it works on the road as well as anywhere.

Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda give the Rays their most consistent offensive contributors. Both have been producing runs consistently through June.

Gusto Has Not Found the Zone in His First MLB Exposure

Ryan Gusto is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA. He is making a spot start because the Marlins' rotation needed the innings, not because he has earned a regular role. His first MLB appearance showed a pitcher who struggled with both command and contact quality. Nine runs allowed per nine innings is the number that goes with a guy who is not ready to face major league hitters consistently.

Miami's offense has been functional enough to keep games interesting at home. Jorge Soler and Jake Burger can do damage, and the Marlins will not simply hand this over. But running Gusto against a lineup and a bullpen as deep as Tampa Bay's is a difficult ask for a pitcher in his first outing.

Rays vs Marlins Pick

Rasmussen with a 3.36 ERA against a pitcher with a 9.00 ERA in his first MLB start. Tampa Bay is 21-9 on the road. The Marlins need Gusto to hold the game together, and his debut did not suggest that is coming.

-143 is fair for this matchup. Take Tampa Bay.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -143

Pick
Tampa Bay Rays -143
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