Florida baseball is weird. Honestly, if you aren’t living in the 305 or the 727, you probably think the Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays matchup is just another blip on the MLB calendar. You might see the empty seats on TV or hear the jokes about the "Trop" and its catwalks. But here’s the thing: those people are missing the point.
The Citrus Series isn’t about 50,000 screaming fans or 100-year-old tradition. It’s about two franchises that have basically mastered the art of doing more with less, even if they go about it in completely opposite ways.
For the 2026 season, the rivalry is heating up again. We’ve got the first leg of the series hitting Tropicana Field from May 15 to May 17, followed by a return trip to Miami’s loanDepot park in early June. If you're planning to catch the Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays this year, you’re looking at a fascinating clash of philosophies.
The Weird History of the Citrus Series
People forget that these two teams share a strange, parallel history. Both were expansion babies from the 90s. The Marlins showed up in 1993 and shocked everyone by winning two World Series in their first decade. The Rays (then the Devil Rays) arrived in 1998 and spent years as the league's punching bag before turning into the smartest guys in the room.
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Lately, the Rays have been absolutely dominating this matchup. Since 2023, they’ve turned the Fish into their personal win column. Tampa Bay entered the 2025 season having won 25 of the last 29 games against Miami. That’s not a rivalry; that’s a beatdown.
However, Miami is trying to steal the blueprint. They literally hired Peter Bendix—the guy who helped build the Rays' juggernaut—to run their front office. It’s like a little brother finally deciding to stop fighting and just copy his older brother's homework.
2026 Schedule Breakdown
- May 15-17 (St. Petersburg): The Marlins head up I-75 to the Trop. The Sunday finale on May 17 is even getting the national treatment on Peacock at noon.
- June 5-7 (Miami): The Rays return the favor, heading south to Little Havana.
What to Watch For: The 2026 Vibe
If you’re looking at the rosters, the pitching is usually the star of the show. The Rays have Shane Baz and Ryan Pepiot leading a rotation that seems to manufacture 98-mph fastballs in a lab. On the flip side, the Marlins are banking on the health of Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera.
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Honestly, the Marlins have struggled to find their identity. Last year was rough. They were claiming players like Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Rays, which just goes to show how much they value that Tampa Bay DNA. Meanwhile, the Rays just keep spinning gold out of nothing, even after trading away fan favorites like Josh Lowe to Anaheim in recent deals.
The Rays aren't just a team; they're an efficiency machine. They led the league in stolen bases recently, with guys like José Caballero treated every single base path like a personal drag strip. If the Marlins want to win the 2026 series, they have to stop the "small ball" chaos that Tampa Bay thrives on.
The Stadium Factor
You can’t talk about Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays without mentioning the venues.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
LoanDepot park in Miami is actually a great place to watch a game—retractable roof, air conditioning, and decent food. Tropicana Field? Well, it’s a dome. It’s quirky. It has a touch tank with actual rays. But it’s also the place where fly balls go to die in the rafters. It’s home-field advantage in its purest, strangest form.
Why This Series Actually Matters
Beyond the standings, this is about the soul of Florida baseball. The Marlins have the rings (1997, 2003), but the Rays have the consistency. Since 2019, Tampa Bay has basically owned a permanent spot in the postseason.
Miami is currently in that "retooling" phase that feels like it’s lasted a decade. But with Bendix at the helm, the 2026 games feel different. It’s not just a regional clash; it’s a measuring stick. Can the Marlins actually execute the "Rays Way," or is that magic something you can only find in St. Pete?
Actionable Tips for Fans Heading to the Games
- Check the Sunday Start: The May 17th game is a noon start for TV. Don't show up at 1:00 PM or you'll miss the first three innings.
- Parking in St. Pete: If you're going to the Trop, park in the downtown lots and take the Central Avenue Trolley. It’s way cheaper and saves you the headache of the stadium lots.
- The "Citrus" Gear: Most fans don't realize there's actually a trophy (well, a plaque) for this series. Wear your brightest orange or teal; the "Citrus Series" atmosphere is surprisingly fun if you lean into the kitsch.
- Watch the Bullpens: Both these teams rely heavily on "bulk" relievers. If the starter gets pulled in the 4th, don't assume the game is over. The middle innings are usually where this series is won or lost.
The 2026 season is a fresh start for the Fish to finally break the Rays' hex. Whether you're rooting for the teal or the navy, the Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays games remain the most underrated battle for Florida bragging rights.
Get your tickets early for the May series at the Trop. With the way the Rays' pitching staff is looking, those games will likely be fast, low-scoring, and decided by one weird play in the 8th inning. That’s just Florida baseball.