The latest installment of the annual Citrus Series marks the earliest meeting between the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins. The Interleague matchup is the only series for the Rays and Marlins outside of their own divisions during the season's first month.
Tampa Bay, which salvaged its opening series with a win on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, begins a seven-game trip with its in-state rival. The Rays have recorded a winning record on the road (217-189) in each of the past five seasons -- the longest active streak in the majors.
Miami has yet to take a lead in 2015, falling behind and getting swept by the Atlanta Braves earlier this week. The Marlins scored just three runs in their first opening series sweep since 2013 -- when the team lost 100 games.
Both clubs enjoyed an offday on Thursday to regroup following less than ideal starts, especially for the Marlins who many anticipate competing for a playoff spot. The Rays are navigating a new manager and the pesky injury bug.
In 2014, Miami swept the four-game series, outscoring Tampa Bay 20-11. The Rays had captured the season series the previous three years, including a 4-0 sweep in 2013. The Marlins lead the overall series 47-46.
Steve Geltz will be making his first career start Friday night for the Rays, while veteran righty Dan Haren will make his Marlins debut. On Saturday, Opening Day starter Chris Archer looks to bounce back after allowing three earned runs, including two homers, in 5 2/3 innings. Marlins righty Jarred Cosart, who battled a blister and a gambling investigation late in spring, will oppose him in his first appearance.
In the finale, right-handers Nathan Karns and Henderson Alvarez will toe the rubber. Karns surrendered six runs on five hits and two walks in the first two innings of his first outing before settling down with 3 2/3 hitless and scoreless frames. Alvarez, Miami's Opening Day starter, was a bad-luck loser, giving up two runs in seven innings on just 81 pitches.
Here's a look at the upcoming Rays-Marlins three-game series:
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
April 10 (Sun Sports and FOX Sports Florida -- pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)
Steve Geltz vs. RHP Dan Haren (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
April 11 (Sun Sports and FOX Sports Florida -- pregame coverage begins at 3:30 p.m.)
RHP Chris Archer (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
April 12 (Sun Sports and FOX Sports Florida -- pregame coverage begins at 12:30 p.m.)
RHP Nathan Karns (0-1, 9.53 ERA) vs. RHP Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 2.57 ERA)
WHO'S HOT
3B Evan Longoria (Rays): Through the first series, Longoria is batting .375 (3 for 8) with at least one hit and one run in each game. He has walked four times and struck out on three occasions. Longoria blasted a solo homer on Opening Day.
1B Michael Morse (Marlins): No Marlins regular is swinging a hot bat at the moment. Morse did, however, go 2 for 4 in Wednesday's loss. It was an improvement over the first two games when he struck out a combined five times.
WHO'S NOT
SS Asdrubal Cabrera (Rays): With a new ballclub, Cabrera has opened 2 for 12 (.167) with five strikeouts and no walks. He had a double and an RBI on Opening Day, but just a single since.
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Marlins): Manager Mike Redmond gave Salty Wednesday off, which he planned on doing anyway, in the series finale against the Braves. He is hitless in his first seven at-bats with five strikeouts and a bases-loaded double play.
STORYLINES
1.231: Slugging percentage for Longoria against Alvarez in 13 at-bats. He has seven hits, including three homers.
2: Extra basehits for the Marlins through the first series of the season.
4.50: ERA for closer Steve Cishek in six outings (five games finished) against the Rays. He has two saves.
QUOTE BOARD
"It was nice. We've been waiting three days for it to come together. I think we saw a lot of good things coming out of camp, and some of those things showed up. So it was a good day." -- Rays manager Kevin Cash after Wednesday's win
"It's definitely a very special day. I'm very blessed to be here. I had my family's support and my friends the whole time. It has been a long journey. And finally, all the hard work and the faith paid off." -- First baseman Allan Dykstra before making his major-league debut Wednesday in place of Loney
"Who wasn't fired up? You hear that crowd? I don't know how many people were here, but I've never heard the place like that. That was amazing. That's why I had to step off so he could get his due. I think he tipped his cap. I don't know. I wasn't really looking. It was an amazing play. He was a Gold Glove finalist for a reason." -- Right-hander Tom Koehler on Giancarlo Stanton's diving play on Wednesday
"I think so. I just think a day to just regroup. Regroup and -- like you said -- it's not how we anticipated starting the season, but at the end of the day it's reality. These guys have always bounced back, they've always responded. They've always been able to turn the page. I'm looking for us to be able to do that on Friday." -- Manager Mike Redmond following a series sweep to the Braves
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
April 10 -- Happy Hour at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar (pregame); Zombie Night benefiting Marlins Charity Partners; Fireworks Friday (postgame show)
April 11 -- All You Can Eat Seats; Puerto Rican Heritage Day; Saturday Spectacular (postgame party on the West Plaza)
April 12 -- Miami Marlins 2015 calendar courtesy of Pepsi; Selfie Sunday (photo with a player pregame); Sunday Funday; Pepsi 4-for-$74; Boys & Girls Club Day; Diamond Dash (postgame); High School Baseball Field of Dreams
LOOKING AHEAD
The Rays conclude their trip with four games in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
The Marlins embark on a 10-game trip that goes to Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
