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Welcome to baseballsportsbettingonline.com, the place that provides the baseball bettor with everything he needs to handicap a game.
In order to score a profit on the game of baseball, the bettor needs to stay on top of all of the ever changing trends and stats.
By logging on daily, the bettor will have access to in depth information on all 30 MLB teams.
In order to score a profit on the game of baseball, the bettor needs to stay on top of all of the ever changing trends and stats.
By logging on daily, the bettor will have access to in depth information on all 30 MLB teams.
News
MLB Series Betting- Boston at Toronto
2008-08-22
The future is now for the Toronto Blue Jays, if they want to make a serious run at being the American League wild card representative. Toronto (66-61, -2 units) has won seven of nine contests and is within seven games of Boston (73-54,+6 units) for the wild card slot and starting Friday, will play the Red Sox 10 times until the end of the season, providing them ample opportunity to close the gap or be shunned like the sunlight on a gloomy Toronto day.
Toronto has had smashing pitching all season, leading all of baseball in fewest runs allowed, with quality starting pitching and a deep bullpen. Hitting has been the issue all year, with chasms of games where hits and runs never materialized, especially in the clutch. If pitching can stop good hitting, the Blue Jays can close the gap and they should have confidence facing Boston.
The Red Sox have lost six straight north of the border and 10 of 12 overall. Boston has failed to score more than four runs in last dozen matchups with the Blue Jays, which has Terry Francona wondering about Toronto. “The way they play against us, and that pitching, it should keep them in every game,” Francona told the Red Sox’s official Web site. “I’m hoping we’re going to find out why (they’re in fourth place in the AL East). Every time we play them, it’s not been fun.” Boston has bounced back on the road, winning nine of last 13 to raise record to 30-36 (-9.2 units). Late season acquisition Paul Byrd (7-11, 4.55, 1.301 WHIP) gets the nod in the opener. The veteran Byrd had been outstanding (4-0, 1.24 ERA over five starts) before losing initial start for Boston. Sportsbook.com has the Red Sox at -104 on the money line, with total Ov9. Byrd is 3-11 when the money line is +125 to -125 and 0-7 when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
Toronto counters with Shaun Marcum (8-5, 3.36, 1.142) and he pitches for club that is 61-29 at home when the total is 9 to 9.5. Marcum and the Blue Jays are 8-0 UNDER at the Rogers Centre when the money line is -100 to -150 this season.
Game 1 Edge: Toronto
Toronto’s feast or famine offense is profoundly stated with 1-12 record after batting .333 or better over a five-game span coming into the series. A big part of the problem for Toronto is the lack of power in the offense. The Blue Jays are last in the American League in home runs with 88 and only Oakland has fewer total bases. Overcoming this on nightly basis is a challenge, even if they have the same run differential as the Los Angeles Angels at +58. Jesse Litsch (8-7, 4.20, 1.294) returned from the minors with his new four-seam fastball and held Detroit to seven shutout innings with four hits allowed. While nobody in Bean Town will admit it, John Lester (12-4, 3.17, 1.277) might just be the Red Sox best pitcher or at least most clutch. The left-hander and his teammates are 6-2 after a loss this season, including winning five in a row. Lester is also 8-1 versus the AL East (Red Sox Record). Boston should be favored and they are 63-38 when in this role.
Game 2 Edge: Boston
The series finale sets up to be a beauty, with A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.51, 1.395) facing Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-2, 2.77, 1.374). After a slow start, Burnett has won six in a row and Toronto is 10-2 when he starts since June 24. The Arkansas native has hit his stride and been using a devastating curveball, which has allowed him to strikeout 70 batters in last 65 innings. Matsuzaka has such electric stuff, even he can’t control it. His command is average at best, having walked four batters, nine times in 22 starts. Despite the constant trouble, teams are hitting spare .213 against him. Though he often places himself in tough spots, no batter has a hit off him in 14 tries with the bases loaded. Matsuzaka has been brilliant on the road, going 7-0 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 starts. Coming into this series, Boston was 23-15 in day games and Toronto 23-18.
Game 3 Edge: Toronto
Boston should have the edge in terms of pitching matchups, with a case to be made they should be favored in all three games. Because of pitching being such an important aspect of a series like this, one would believe tight games would be the norm with these AL East combatants. Instead, we find these teams seldom play close games, with only eight of the last 26 battles decided by two runs or less. This means bullpens come into play and the Blue Jays have 2.48 ERA at home and the Red Sox have 4.32 ERA in the traveling gray uniforms. This is enough to throw support to Toronto to take the series.
Sportsbook.com series odds: Boston -125, Toronto -105
StatFox Edge Pick: Toronto, 2008 Record – 10-6
MLB Top Weekend Power Trends
2008-08-22
We’re not quite to September yet and oddsmakers have already jumped the gun, having introduced pennant race betting lines into the fold early. So far in August, 59 games up through Thursday’s action had shown lines of -200 or higher on favorites. For the entire month of August in ’07, 29 games reached that point. There figures to be a number of more games with heavy chalk lines this weekend, especially in the N.L., where the two teams with the best records face off against a pair of the worst clubs. Here’s a look at those series’, along with the rest of the key action, plus our weekly feature highlighting some of the Top StatFox Power Trends affecting the weekend.
Of the six games on Friday with lines of -200 or higher, ALL of them are in the senior circuit. That is for good reason too, as most of the competitive series’ lined up are in the American League. The two N.L. matchups that figure to boast hefty lines for each game of the weekend are Washington at Chicago, and Pittsburgh at Milwaukee. In fact, the only series’ that figure to have any meaning to both teams are Los Angeles at Philadelphia, and Florida visiting Arizona.
However, in the junior circuit, there are several intriguing matchups. In Toronto, the Red Sox will take on the Blue Jays with the latter trying to make one last push to get back into the wildcard hunt. These teams will play 10 games against one another the rest of the way and 7-games separate them in the standings heading into this weekend’s series. Toronto has gotten hot of late, going 7-2 in its last nine games, but only managed to pick up a game in the standings during that stretch.
Elsewhere in the American League, division leaders will go head-to-head in Chicago, when the Rays hook up with the White Sox for three games. The hosts come off a 3-game sweep of Seattle and have now won six in a row at home to push their record at U.S. Cellular Field to 45-19. They are still just ½ game ahead of Minnesota though in the Central Division. Tampa meanwhile, has stretched its lead in the East to 4-1/2 games entering weekend play.
Finally, the Twins will head west to take on the Angels in Anaheim. The Halos are already counting down magic numbers, as their lead has ballooned to 15-games in the West. Their elimination number is 21. The Twins are ½ game out of the division race and tied for the wildcard lead. They have won seven of their L8 games while the Angels have only won twice in their last eight.
Here are this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends…
WASHINGTON at CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-14 (+21.0 Units) against the money line vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 6.0, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 3*)
LA DODGERS at PHILADELPHIA
LA DODGERS are 1-9 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was LA DODGERS 2.4, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)
HOUSTON at NY METS
HOUSTON is 24-11 UNDER (+11.6 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was HOUSTON 4.1, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 2*)
PITTSBURGH at MILWAUKEE
PITTSBURGH is 10-37 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams averaging 3.5 or more extra base hits per game in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was PITTSBURGH 4.1, OPPONENT 6.3 - (Rating = 1*)
ATLANTA at ST LOUIS
ATLANTA is 1-11 (-10.5 Units) against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was ATLANTA 3.4, OPPONENT 7.3 - (Rating = 2*)
CINCINNATI at COLORADO
COLORADO is 9-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. The average score was COLORADO 5.2, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 1*)
FLORIDA at ARIZONA
FLORIDA is 29-13 (+18.1 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse this season. The average score was FLORIDA 4.9, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 3*)
SAN DIEGO at SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO is 6-19 (-18.1 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters draw 3 walks or less/game this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 3.3, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 3*)
NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 10-33 (-18.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.2, OPPONENT 6.5 - (Rating = 1*)
BOSTON at TORONTO
BOSTON is 4-13 (-12.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.2 or less runs/game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 3.8, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 3*)
CLEVELAND at TEXAS
TEXAS is 61-30 (+24.4 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an AL team with a batting average of .260 or worse in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was TEXAS 6.2, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)
DETROIT at KANSAS CITY
LEYLAND is 47-19 (+19.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 or more as the manager of DETROIT. The average score was DETROIT 6.4, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)
TAMPA BAY at CHI WHITE SOX
TAMPA BAY is 8-27 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.4, OPPONENT 6.2 - (Rating = 1*)
MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS
MINNESOTA is 27-9 (+21.8 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.4, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 5*)
OAKLAND at SEATTLE
SEATTLE is 17-40 (-24.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SEATTLE 3.8, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 3*)
MLB: Road woes a thing of past for Rays?
2008-08-14
The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of baseball’s worst road teams since their franchise inception, but lately, signs are evident that those woes might be a thing of the past. Since losing six straight contests away from home heading into the all-star break, the Rays have gone 8-5 on the road. They’ll look to continue the surge when they play game seven of a 10-game trip today in Oakland. Tampa Bay is 4-2 thus far, and plays as a -125 favorite behind James Shields.
The Rays, who have lost two of their most productive offensive stars, still have their sights on the American League East crown. Now without Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria, they still maintain a cozy 3-game lead over Boston in the division race. Much of the reason for the cushion has been their ability to turn things around on the road. Since the all-star break, Tampa is 8-5 away from home, and has boosted its overall road mark to 27-30.
James Shields (10-7, 3.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays with hopes of winning his seventh decision in the past nine. The 26-year-old righthander has held opponents under four runs in nine of his past 10 starts and has pitched at least six innings in all of them. He is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Oakland.
Sean Gallagher (4-5, 4.39) counters for the Athletics and hopes to win for the first time since July 11 - his debut with the team after being traded from the Chicago Cubs in the deal that sent Rich Harden packing to the National League. The 22-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five starts in the AL and has 27 strikeouts, but 19 walks in that span.
Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the seventh inning snapped a tie score and helped the Rays claim a 3-2 triumph on Wednesday.
As evidence of how poorly the Rays have played on the road historically, take a look a this managerial trend on Joe Maddon:
• MADDON is 8-42 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season as the manager of TAMPA BAY. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.3, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 4*)
Still, baseball is typically a game of “what have you done for me lately?”, and Oakland certainly hasn’t done much, particularly offensively. In fact, the A’s haven’t exceeded the 4-run mark since July 27th, a span of 15 games! Things don’t figure to go much better against the tough Shields today either:
• OAKLAND is 12-28 (-17.0 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.00 or better this season. The average score was OAKLAND 3.5, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 2*)
The best StatFox system for today’s game indicates to back Shields and the Rays:
• Play Against - Any team (OAKLAND) - very bad AL offensive team (<=4.2 runs/game) against a team with a good bullpen (ERA<=3.75), with a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start. (95-35 since 1997.) (73.1%, +54.3 units. Rating = 4*)
Game time is 3:35 PM ET, so get your action down early.
2008-08-22
The future is now for the Toronto Blue Jays, if they want to make a serious run at being the American League wild card representative. Toronto (66-61, -2 units) has won seven of nine contests and is within seven games of Boston (73-54,+6 units) for the wild card slot and starting Friday, will play the Red Sox 10 times until the end of the season, providing them ample opportunity to close the gap or be shunned like the sunlight on a gloomy Toronto day.
Toronto has had smashing pitching all season, leading all of baseball in fewest runs allowed, with quality starting pitching and a deep bullpen. Hitting has been the issue all year, with chasms of games where hits and runs never materialized, especially in the clutch. If pitching can stop good hitting, the Blue Jays can close the gap and they should have confidence facing Boston.
The Red Sox have lost six straight north of the border and 10 of 12 overall. Boston has failed to score more than four runs in last dozen matchups with the Blue Jays, which has Terry Francona wondering about Toronto. “The way they play against us, and that pitching, it should keep them in every game,” Francona told the Red Sox’s official Web site. “I’m hoping we’re going to find out why (they’re in fourth place in the AL East). Every time we play them, it’s not been fun.” Boston has bounced back on the road, winning nine of last 13 to raise record to 30-36 (-9.2 units). Late season acquisition Paul Byrd (7-11, 4.55, 1.301 WHIP) gets the nod in the opener. The veteran Byrd had been outstanding (4-0, 1.24 ERA over five starts) before losing initial start for Boston. Sportsbook.com has the Red Sox at -104 on the money line, with total Ov9. Byrd is 3-11 when the money line is +125 to -125 and 0-7 when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
Toronto counters with Shaun Marcum (8-5, 3.36, 1.142) and he pitches for club that is 61-29 at home when the total is 9 to 9.5. Marcum and the Blue Jays are 8-0 UNDER at the Rogers Centre when the money line is -100 to -150 this season.
Game 1 Edge: Toronto
Toronto’s feast or famine offense is profoundly stated with 1-12 record after batting .333 or better over a five-game span coming into the series. A big part of the problem for Toronto is the lack of power in the offense. The Blue Jays are last in the American League in home runs with 88 and only Oakland has fewer total bases. Overcoming this on nightly basis is a challenge, even if they have the same run differential as the Los Angeles Angels at +58. Jesse Litsch (8-7, 4.20, 1.294) returned from the minors with his new four-seam fastball and held Detroit to seven shutout innings with four hits allowed. While nobody in Bean Town will admit it, John Lester (12-4, 3.17, 1.277) might just be the Red Sox best pitcher or at least most clutch. The left-hander and his teammates are 6-2 after a loss this season, including winning five in a row. Lester is also 8-1 versus the AL East (Red Sox Record). Boston should be favored and they are 63-38 when in this role.
Game 2 Edge: Boston
The series finale sets up to be a beauty, with A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.51, 1.395) facing Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-2, 2.77, 1.374). After a slow start, Burnett has won six in a row and Toronto is 10-2 when he starts since June 24. The Arkansas native has hit his stride and been using a devastating curveball, which has allowed him to strikeout 70 batters in last 65 innings. Matsuzaka has such electric stuff, even he can’t control it. His command is average at best, having walked four batters, nine times in 22 starts. Despite the constant trouble, teams are hitting spare .213 against him. Though he often places himself in tough spots, no batter has a hit off him in 14 tries with the bases loaded. Matsuzaka has been brilliant on the road, going 7-0 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 starts. Coming into this series, Boston was 23-15 in day games and Toronto 23-18.
Game 3 Edge: Toronto
Boston should have the edge in terms of pitching matchups, with a case to be made they should be favored in all three games. Because of pitching being such an important aspect of a series like this, one would believe tight games would be the norm with these AL East combatants. Instead, we find these teams seldom play close games, with only eight of the last 26 battles decided by two runs or less. This means bullpens come into play and the Blue Jays have 2.48 ERA at home and the Red Sox have 4.32 ERA in the traveling gray uniforms. This is enough to throw support to Toronto to take the series.
Sportsbook.com series odds: Boston -125, Toronto -105
StatFox Edge Pick: Toronto, 2008 Record – 10-6
MLB Top Weekend Power Trends
2008-08-22
We’re not quite to September yet and oddsmakers have already jumped the gun, having introduced pennant race betting lines into the fold early. So far in August, 59 games up through Thursday’s action had shown lines of -200 or higher on favorites. For the entire month of August in ’07, 29 games reached that point. There figures to be a number of more games with heavy chalk lines this weekend, especially in the N.L., where the two teams with the best records face off against a pair of the worst clubs. Here’s a look at those series’, along with the rest of the key action, plus our weekly feature highlighting some of the Top StatFox Power Trends affecting the weekend.
Of the six games on Friday with lines of -200 or higher, ALL of them are in the senior circuit. That is for good reason too, as most of the competitive series’ lined up are in the American League. The two N.L. matchups that figure to boast hefty lines for each game of the weekend are Washington at Chicago, and Pittsburgh at Milwaukee. In fact, the only series’ that figure to have any meaning to both teams are Los Angeles at Philadelphia, and Florida visiting Arizona.
However, in the junior circuit, there are several intriguing matchups. In Toronto, the Red Sox will take on the Blue Jays with the latter trying to make one last push to get back into the wildcard hunt. These teams will play 10 games against one another the rest of the way and 7-games separate them in the standings heading into this weekend’s series. Toronto has gotten hot of late, going 7-2 in its last nine games, but only managed to pick up a game in the standings during that stretch.
Elsewhere in the American League, division leaders will go head-to-head in Chicago, when the Rays hook up with the White Sox for three games. The hosts come off a 3-game sweep of Seattle and have now won six in a row at home to push their record at U.S. Cellular Field to 45-19. They are still just ½ game ahead of Minnesota though in the Central Division. Tampa meanwhile, has stretched its lead in the East to 4-1/2 games entering weekend play.
Finally, the Twins will head west to take on the Angels in Anaheim. The Halos are already counting down magic numbers, as their lead has ballooned to 15-games in the West. Their elimination number is 21. The Twins are ½ game out of the division race and tied for the wildcard lead. They have won seven of their L8 games while the Angels have only won twice in their last eight.
Here are this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends…
WASHINGTON at CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-14 (+21.0 Units) against the money line vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 6.0, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 3*)
LA DODGERS at PHILADELPHIA
LA DODGERS are 1-9 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was LA DODGERS 2.4, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)
HOUSTON at NY METS
HOUSTON is 24-11 UNDER (+11.6 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was HOUSTON 4.1, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 2*)
PITTSBURGH at MILWAUKEE
PITTSBURGH is 10-37 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams averaging 3.5 or more extra base hits per game in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was PITTSBURGH 4.1, OPPONENT 6.3 - (Rating = 1*)
ATLANTA at ST LOUIS
ATLANTA is 1-11 (-10.5 Units) against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was ATLANTA 3.4, OPPONENT 7.3 - (Rating = 2*)
CINCINNATI at COLORADO
COLORADO is 9-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. The average score was COLORADO 5.2, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 1*)
FLORIDA at ARIZONA
FLORIDA is 29-13 (+18.1 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse this season. The average score was FLORIDA 4.9, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 3*)
SAN DIEGO at SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO is 6-19 (-18.1 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters draw 3 walks or less/game this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 3.3, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 3*)
NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 10-33 (-18.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.2, OPPONENT 6.5 - (Rating = 1*)
BOSTON at TORONTO
BOSTON is 4-13 (-12.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.2 or less runs/game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 3.8, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 3*)
CLEVELAND at TEXAS
TEXAS is 61-30 (+24.4 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an AL team with a batting average of .260 or worse in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was TEXAS 6.2, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)
DETROIT at KANSAS CITY
LEYLAND is 47-19 (+19.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 or more as the manager of DETROIT. The average score was DETROIT 6.4, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)
TAMPA BAY at CHI WHITE SOX
TAMPA BAY is 8-27 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.4, OPPONENT 6.2 - (Rating = 1*)
MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS
MINNESOTA is 27-9 (+21.8 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.4, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 5*)
OAKLAND at SEATTLE
SEATTLE is 17-40 (-24.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SEATTLE 3.8, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 3*)
MLB: Road woes a thing of past for Rays?
2008-08-14
The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of baseball’s worst road teams since their franchise inception, but lately, signs are evident that those woes might be a thing of the past. Since losing six straight contests away from home heading into the all-star break, the Rays have gone 8-5 on the road. They’ll look to continue the surge when they play game seven of a 10-game trip today in Oakland. Tampa Bay is 4-2 thus far, and plays as a -125 favorite behind James Shields.
The Rays, who have lost two of their most productive offensive stars, still have their sights on the American League East crown. Now without Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria, they still maintain a cozy 3-game lead over Boston in the division race. Much of the reason for the cushion has been their ability to turn things around on the road. Since the all-star break, Tampa is 8-5 away from home, and has boosted its overall road mark to 27-30.
James Shields (10-7, 3.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays with hopes of winning his seventh decision in the past nine. The 26-year-old righthander has held opponents under four runs in nine of his past 10 starts and has pitched at least six innings in all of them. He is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Oakland.
Sean Gallagher (4-5, 4.39) counters for the Athletics and hopes to win for the first time since July 11 - his debut with the team after being traded from the Chicago Cubs in the deal that sent Rich Harden packing to the National League. The 22-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five starts in the AL and has 27 strikeouts, but 19 walks in that span.
Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the seventh inning snapped a tie score and helped the Rays claim a 3-2 triumph on Wednesday.
As evidence of how poorly the Rays have played on the road historically, take a look a this managerial trend on Joe Maddon:
• MADDON is 8-42 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season as the manager of TAMPA BAY. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.3, OPPONENT 6.0 - (Rating = 4*)
Still, baseball is typically a game of “what have you done for me lately?”, and Oakland certainly hasn’t done much, particularly offensively. In fact, the A’s haven’t exceeded the 4-run mark since July 27th, a span of 15 games! Things don’t figure to go much better against the tough Shields today either:
• OAKLAND is 12-28 (-17.0 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.00 or better this season. The average score was OAKLAND 3.5, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 2*)
The best StatFox system for today’s game indicates to back Shields and the Rays:
• Play Against - Any team (OAKLAND) - very bad AL offensive team (<=4.2 runs/game) against a team with a good bullpen (ERA<=3.75), with a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start. (95-35 since 1997.) (73.1%, +54.3 units. Rating = 4*)
Game time is 3:35 PM ET, so get your action down early.