[SBRforum Staff]

Take Twins -220 vs Rays

Game Time: 4/17/2007 8:10:00 PM -
By: Ben Burns


It's a big number. But then, Johan Santana is a big-time pitcher. Take the Twins at home in Minnesota this evening versus the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

At first glance the price on the Twins seems steep. However, when we consider that they were laying -260, -300 and -280 the last three times that Johan Santana was on the mound in this series, today's line seems much more reasonable.

The Twins won all three of those games and are 5-1 in six games that Santana started vs. Tampa Bay. Not surprisingly, Santana had a stellar 2.27 ERA and 0.985 WHIP in those six games, including a 2-hit (8-0) shutout most recently. It is also no surprise that Santana is already 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA (1.000 WHIP) on the season.

On the other hand, Scott Kazmir is 0-1 (Rays are 0-2) in two starts, recording an ugly 6.75 ERA. Kazmir is also 0-3 in three career starts vs. the Twins. Minnesota has dominated Tampa here over the years. In fact, last night's dramatic victory brought the Twins to 10-0 against the Rays here since June of 2004. They should extend that streak this evening. Consider laying the number with Santana and the Twins.

Play: Twins -220

[BuddyBear]

GL with that, last nights WASH/ATL should serve as an important lesson about laying the big chalk....but this would be the pitcher to lay -220 with.

[bigboydan]

I like TB in this game Mr.Burns.

[onlooker]

I would have to take the Rays here Burns. So I disagree.

Good luck with that chalk.

[Razz]

This is about like the Red Sox/Mariners game the other day. Sure, the home team is good, sure they have a great pitcher on the mound, but the opposing pitcher is pretty dominant too, and that is just being ignored.