The battle of Sunshine State foes has been decidedly one-sided of late, with the Tampa Bay Rays (34-25) once again defeating the Miami Marlins (31-28) on Saturday, 13-4. The Rays have now won six straight games over the Marlins, and on Sunday have a chance at an interleague series sweep.
In winning the last six contests between the two teams, Tampa Bay has outscored Miami 36-11. The Marlins have dropped the first five games of their nine-game homestand, and send Anibal Sanchez (3-4, 3.19 ERA) to the mound Sunday hoping to prevent the sweep. The righty is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.
Big Game James Shields (6-4, 4.27 ERA) will take the hill for Joe Maddon's club. James has struggled in his last two outings, giving up five earned runs in each, but historically has dominated the Marlins' bats.
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