Miami @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2018 ) Miami 3, Tampa Bay 2

The Miami Marlins are playing some of their best baseball of the season and will go after a fifth straight victory when they try for a three-game sweep of the host Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon. The Marlins clinched the "Citrus Series" after a 3-2 victory on Saturday, taking their fourth win in five matchups with the Rays this year and seventh in nine overall, as veteran Martin Prado registered a pair of hits and an RBI.

Miami’s Starlin Castro added a hit, scored a run and is a gaudy 11-for-22 with two walks against Tampa Bay this season as the teams prepare to break the tie in the all-time series (56-56). Trevor Richards will attempt to match a strong performance from fellow Marlins rookie Pablo Lopez, who gave up one run in six innings Saturday when he takes the mound for the finale against Rays two-time All-Star Chris Archer. Tampa Bay went 14-4 during a stretch in late June and July but has dropped five of its last six contests straddling the All-Star break. The Rays could see third baseman Matt Duffy (back) return to the lineup Sunday after missing two games, but center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (left foot) will likely not play and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique), who left Saturday’s contest, is questionable.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.74 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (3-4, 4.29)

Richards posted the third scoreless outing of his rookie season last Saturday against Philadelphia, allowing four hits over six innings in a 2-0 triumph. The 25-year-old Illinois native earned his fourth quality start of the campaign with the last effort and owns a 3.68 ERA over three July appearances. Mallex Smith went 2-for-2 versus Richards, who gave up four runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Rays on July 3.

Archer pitched much better in his second outing last Saturday at Minnesota since spending more than a month on the disabled list, but he was pulled after his pitch count rose to 93 over 4 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old North Carolina native posted a 2.47 ERA in May and June combined before suffering an abdominal injury, but he has yet to win in six home starts this season. Castro is 8-for-20 with a homer against Archer, who is 1-1 with a 0.64 ERA in two career starts versus Miami and 6-9 in interleague matchups.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Justin Williams was recalled and went 0-for-1 in his major-league debut Saturday. LHP Hoby Milner was sent to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

2. Miami RF Brian Anderson is 0-for-8 in the series after batting .350 with three homers and eight RBIs in his previous nine games.

3. Rays INF/OF Joey Wendle belted his career-high fifth homer Saturday and is 9-for-21 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Marlins 3