The Devil Rays have had very good success this season hitting southpaws. They are averaging 5.0 runs per game against lefties as opposed to 4.2 runs per game vs right-handed starters.
Toronto sends out well-traveled veteran Ted Lilly to the hill, and Lilly has been completely up and down all season long. Last outing he threw a 6-inning shutout against the Twins, but in his two previous games he allowed nine earned runs in 10.2 innings of work. Toronto has dropped three of his last four starts.
Tampa Bay counters with young righty James Shields. He has been impressive with a 3.34 ERA at home this year. In his last four starts he has permitted just 10 earned runs in 26.2 innings of work. His strikeout to walk ratio over that period has been an outstanding 25-to-5.
Lilly has been hit hard in three of his last five starts against Tampa, while the Jays have yet to face Shields. That gives a significant edge to the host which has held its own in this series.
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Blue Jays at Devil Rays - Aug 16th
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