Miami @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2012 ) Miami 0, Tampa Bay 3

The Tampa Bay Rays need to stabilize their up and down season and may have a good chance to build something over the next four days. The Rays face the struggling Miami Marlins on Monday to open a four-game set - with the first two contests in Tampa. The Rays have squandered leads in 16 of their 24 losses. However, Evan Longoria and James Loney lead an improved Rays’ offense that is averaging 4.8 runs. Tampa Bay has defeated Miami nine of the last 10 meetings.

The Marlins have dropped five consecutive games and 15 of their last 18 after being swept by the Chicago White Sox. Miami is last in runs scored (132), homers (25) and team batting average (.221), but rookie Marcell Ozuna has been turning heads. The 22-year-old outfielder is batting .304 with 10 RBIs in 24 games - and has hit safely in 11 straight.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.31 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (0-0, 5.40)

Fernandez continues to impress in his rookie campaign, allowing two or fewer runs in four of his last five turns. The 20-year-old Cuban is 2-0 in his last five starts, yielding one run over five innings on May 21 against Philadelphia. Fernandez has 46 strikeouts and has surrendered 39 hits in 49 innings. He has thrown more than 86 pitches in a game only once as he faces the Rays for the first time.

Odorizzi was moved back a day in the rotation, giving Alex Cobb a chance to pitch a gem against the New York Yankees on Sunday. The 23-year-old, who was acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the offseason trade for James Shields, will make his second start for the Rays. Odorizzi allowed three runs on five hits in five innings while striking out six at Toronto last Monday. He did not receive a decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays SS Yunel Escobar is 16-for-51 over the last 14 games with 11 RBIs, raising his average from .175 to .221.

2. Former Tampa Bay OF Justin Ruggiano leads Miami in runs scored (20), doubles (eight), homers (seven) and RBIs (20).

3. Tampa Bay’s bullpen has allowed 10 runs and 13 hits over 12 1/3 innings in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Rays 3