Marlins vs. Rays Wednesday MLB injury report, odds, pick: Manuel Margot activated, Jazz Chisholm questionable

The Tampa Bay Rays only have one regular hitting better than .289 this season, and that's outfielder Manuel Margot in the midst of a breakout season. He hasn't played since May 14 due to a right hamstring strain but has been activated from the injured list and will be in the lineup for tonight's home game against the Miami Marlins, who might again be without one of their best hitters in infielder Jazz Chisholm. The Rays are -175 favorites at Caesars Sportsbook. (See tickets at StubHub)

Margot's career-best betting average is .269 in 47 games for the Rays in the shortened 2020 season, but he's hitting .348 this year with three homers, 21 RBIs, an OBP of .419 and an OPS of .912. The average would be among the MLB leaders if Margot – always an excellent defender -- had enough at-bats to qualify. He was named American League Player of the Week earlier this month, the first Ray to win Player of the Week since Brandon Lowe in August 2020. The Rays, incidentally, recently lost Lowe for about a month due to a back injury.

The Marlins' Chisholm Jr. left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury and didn't play in Tuesday's 4-0 loss in the series opener. The speedster is hitting .290 with seven homers, 27 RBI and six steals. He leads the majors with four triples. The hamstring injury is indeed a big deal for him, given how much speed factors into his value.

It's Cody Poteet (0-0, 0.78 ERA) on the mound for Miami. Poteet will make his 11th appearance and second start of the year. In his first start on May 17, he took a no-decision while striking out four Nationals over 4.2 scoreless frames. He pitched in relief Saturday and allowed a run over two innings vs. Atlanta, so Poteet clearly won't be out there for too long Wednesday. He's taking the rotation spot that formerly belonged to the injured Jesus Luzardo.

Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen (4-1, 2.33 ERA) has not allowed more than three earned runs in a game all season and is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in four May starts. His streak of five consecutive outings of at least five innings pitched and one run or fewer allowed matches Chris Archer from May 17–June 7, 2015 and Scott Kazmir from May 10-31, 2008 for the longest in franchise history. Rasmussen pitched twice in relief against Miami last year while with Milwaukee and didn't allow a run. Chisholm is 0-for-1 with a strikeout against him.

MLB free pick: Rays -175

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