Tampa Bay Rays vs Miami Marlins MLB Betting Prediction
PublishedMay 18, 2025,            Posted By: Maria Uebelhor
Last updated:May 18, 2025 ,

MLB Tampa Bay Rays vs Miami Marlins Prediction 5/18

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. The game is set to begin at 1:40 PM and will be played under the night sky. Fans can expect an exciting contest between these two teams.

Rays vs. Marlins Betting Prediction

  • Money Line Prediction: Rays MoneyLine: -154. The Rays have a better record and a stronger pitching staff. Shane Baz has a decent strikeout rate which could be effective against the Marlins’ lineup.
  • Over/Under Prediction: Under 8.5 (-104). Both teams have struggled with consistent hitting, and the Rays’ pitching is solid. This could lead to a low-scoring game.

Team Trends

  • The Tampa Bay Rays have a road record of 10-7 this season.
  • The Miami Marlins are 11 games back in the NL East.
  • In their recent game on May 17th, the Rays defeated the Marlins 4-0.
  • Yandy Díaz had 2 RBIs in the Rays’ win against the Marlins on May 17th.
  • Kyle Stowers hit 2 home runs in the Marlins’ 3-1 win over the Cubs on May 14th.

Rays vs Marlins Preview

On Sunday night, the Tampa Bay Rays will visit the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. The game starts at 1:40 PM. Shane Baz will be on the mound for the Rays. He has started eight games this season, with a record of 3-2 and an ERA of 5.02. Baz has pitched 43 innings and struck out 46 batters.

Cal Quantrill will pitch for the Marlins. This season, he has a record of 2-4 with an ERA of 7.00 over 36 innings. Quantrill has struck out 23 batters in his eight starts. Both pitchers will look to improve their stats in this game. Fans should watch how these starting pitchers perform under the lights.

Marlins’ Key Players and Performance Insights

The Miami Marlins have been relying on Kyle Stowers for offensive production. In 42 games, Stowers leads the team with a .304 batting average and 10 home runs. He also tops the league with 23 runs and 30 RBIs, making him a critical player in the lineup. Xavier Edwards plays a crucial role in the Marlins’ infield, though he is currently day-to-day with back tightness. Edwards has a .263 batting average and ranks second on the team with 18 runs. His availability will be a key factor for the Marlins in their upcoming games. Eric Wagaman contributes with a .240 batting average and three home runs. He ranks third on the team with 17 runs and 12 RBIs. Wagaman’s performance helps balance the Marlins’ offensive efforts as they look to improve their team stats.

Tampa Bay Rays: Key Players and Pitching Overview

Jonathan Aranda leads the Tampa Bay Rays in batting average. He has played 41 games and holds a .321 average. Aranda also has 19 runs and 21 RBIs, putting him at the top of the team in these categories. Yandy Díaz has been contributing with six home runs and 23 RBIs. However, Díaz is currently on the restricted list for personal reasons. His absence may impact the Rays’ lineup in upcoming games. Junior Caminero stands out with eight home runs, leading the team. He also has 19 runs and 20 RBIs. Caminero’s power at the plate adds depth to the Rays’ offensive lineup.

Final Betting Pick

The Rays are favored on the money line at -154, and this is a solid pick. They have a better record than the Marlins and a strong pitching staff. Shane Baz, with a strikeout rate of 9.63 K/9, can challenge the Marlins’ hitters. The Marlins’ pitching, led by Cal Quantrill, has struggled with a 7.00 ERA, making the Rays a safer bet.

For the over/under, the prediction is under 8.5. Both teams have been inconsistent at the plate, with the Rays’ slugging percentage at .368 and the Marlins at .381. The Rays’ pitching has been reliable with a 3.88 ERA, which could keep the game low-scoring. With these factors, the under seems likely.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change. **All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk. Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.