Miami Marlins (0-0) vs Tampa Bay Rays (0-0)
Game Info: Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 4:10 pm (loanDepot park)
Sandy Alcantara (0-0) (0.00) vs Tyler Glasnow (0-0) (0.00)
Betting Odds: Miami Marlins +139 / Tampa Bay Rays -151 --- Over/Under: 8 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Tampa Bay Rays face the Miami Marlins on Thursday, April 1st at loanDepot Park for an MLB Opening Day Interleague matchup.
The Tampa Bay Rays are the reigning American League Champs, as they are coming off a 40-20 season with an AL East crown to go with it. The Rays were two wins away from their first World Series in franchise history, but the Dodgers ended up on top, winning the series 4-2. The Rays now have an almost completely different rotation (with some familiar faces) and return a large portion of their lineup from a season ago. Blake Snell and Charlie Morton are members of the Padres and Braves respectively. Tampa Bay added guys like Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, and former Ray, and two-time all-star, Chris Archer. The Rays lineup is strong and overall this team should be able to compete in the AL East yet again (provided the back-end of the rotation steps it up).
The Miami Marlins reached the postseason for the first time since 2003. The Marlins finished with a 31-29 record and earned the second-place playoff spot in the NL East. The Marlins may have overperformed in 2020 and that can be seen in the 2021 projected roster. The Marlins' rotation is young, featuring guys like Sandy Alcantara and Elieser Hernandez. The lineup is not the sharpest on paper, but the Fish did add a slugger in Adam Duvall in right field. Overall, the Marlins may fall victims to a really strong NL East, and a better-than-fifth place record should be treated as a win for Miami.
The Rays are projected to send right-hander Tyler Glasnow to the mound for Opening Day. Glasnow earned a 5-1 record with a 4.08 ERA in 11 starts in 2020. Glasnow struck out a ton of batters but had a steep ERA in his fifth season in the MLB. Glasnow will need to be the clear-cut ace for Tampa Bay, as the pitching staff is already thin.
The Marlins are projected to bring right-hander Sandy Alcantara to the bump for this game. Alcantara had a solid year in 2020, posting a 3-2 record with a 3.00 ERA in the 7 starts he made in the shortened season. Alcantara will have a big role in Miami this season, and it all starts in game one.
I am going to take a shot with the home dog here, as I was impressed with Alcantara in spring training. Alcantara had a 1.33 ERA in 6 games in spring, and I think we get great value backing him and the Marlins on Opening Day at home.
Ron’s Pick Miami Marlins +139
AUTHOR: Ron Romanelli
Follow Ron Romanelli on Twitter @RonnieRomanelli