Miami Marlins vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 05/16/26

As Rivalry Weekend continues, the Miami Marlins face the Tampa Bay Rays. You just can’t get hotter than the Rays are right now. They have won 11 of their last 13, they have opened up a 2-game lead in the AL East, and they trail only the Braves for the best record in baseball. This Tampa team was not supposed to be anything special this season, but they just keep winning. They do everything you want a team to do. They hit the ball, they take extra bases, they play defense, they pitch well and they are even employing winning with tactics like bunting and pressuring the opponent. At this point, it is folly to bet against them. I will take the Rays to win again on Saturday after their 7-2 win on Friday night.

Yes, Sandy Alcantara is on the hill for the Fish. Alcantara has been good, although not untouchable. He has turned in quality starts in 3 of his last 4 outings. He faces Nick Martinez, a veteran journeyman who is pitching out of his mind right now. He has yet to allow more than 2 runs in any of his 8 starts and, of course, the pitching whisperers in Tampa have found a way to turn a mediocre journeyman into a star. Alcantara helps keep the price manageable on this game, but I am not getting cute and betting against the Rays right now — not until they come back to Earth.

Marlins vs Rays prediction: Tampa Bay ML (-140) available at time of publishing. Playable to -160.

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