[LT Profits]

I know its the Devil Rays vs. the Red Sox, but after watching Shields pitch against the Tigers with my own eyes his last time out, I came away asking myself "How does this guy ever lose a game?"

His line score was certainly impressive - one run, five hits, nine strikeouts and no walks in seven innings - but those numbers dont tell the whole story about how unhittable he looked that niight. The Tigers have one of the hottest offenses in baseball, yet they were consistently swinging and missing his pitches by a foot!

[JBC77]

I'm starting to like this play LT, might have to roll with you on this one.

[JBC77]

We are going to need Shields to go 7 here with only 2 or 3 runs worth of damage, If he goes 5 or 6 that bullpen is going to f!@# us right in the rear. I'm going to try and hold out for +170.

As far as comparing the two starters here.....looks like value with Shields @ that price.

[LT Profits]

Yes, I'd like to see what Shields' record would be if he had the Boston offense and bullpen supporting him.

I do expect at least seven innings, and Tampa Bay has actually been scoring some runs lately. Wakefield ERA over 5.00 at home.

[JBC77]

I'm in @ +166, might get better right before game time but I don't know if I'll be around. The public is all over the Sox today.

Past 3 starts data:

Shields(R): 1-1, 18 2/3 IP's, 3.37
Wakefield(R): 2-1, 17 IP's, 5.29

Home/away stats for the season:

Shields away: 4.79 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .254 BAA
Wakefield home: 5.33 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .283 BAA

[WestsidePete]

when wakefield pitches runs are scored...taking the over 9 1/2today on this one.

[BatemanPatrickl]

I just don't see Boston losing this one at home coming off a bad series with Baltimore.

[WestsidePete]

I agree...they're motivated and Tampa sucks on the road

[Degenerate]

I think I will just pass, Boston seems to hit Shields pretty well Hope he goes 7 innings for you LT so you dont have to sweat the bullpen, but he only went 5 in his last starts Vs Bos

James Shields (R) Previous Starts vs. Boston
Date Opposition Scr Line W/L IP H R ER SO BB HR PIT P/IP G/F

07/28/07 BOS 6-12 105/9.5 L/O 5.0 6 3 3 7 1 0 97 19.4 0.75
08/04/06 BOS 2-3 168/9.5 L/U 5.1 5 2 2 7 2 1 100 18.8 1.25
07/06/06 BOS 5-12 145/9.5 L/O 5.0 4 5 5 5 3 3 91 18.2 0.67

[WestsidePete]

wakefield is also 17-2 vs tampa lifetime...2-0 this year

[JBC77]

If the line was Shields +125 Wake -135 I might have to reconsider. Asking -170 for Wake is just a little too much chalk in my opinion. Especially for a guy who is just as hittable as his opponent. You also may consider Manny and David aren't as productive as they were last year. Bullpen also showing slight vulnerability.
Going to need some luck for sure. Win or lose I'll take a shot at that price. Looks like books are getting about 75% action on the Sox, you know what they say about fading the public sometimes...

[BatemanPatrickl]

If the line was Shields +125 Wake -135 I might have to reconsider. Asking -170 for Wake is just a little too much chalk in my opinion. Especially for a guy who is just as hittable as his opponent. You also may consider Manny and David aren't as productive as they were last year. Bullpen also showing slight vulnerability.
Going to need some luck for sure. Win or lose I'll take a shot at that price. Looks like books are getting about 75% action on the Sox, you know what they say about fading the public sometimes...

Good luck JBC77; I will be playing against you on this one.

[bradleysnyder]

dont like this play at all.TAMPA IS NOT A GOOD ROAD TEAM.

[JBC77]

Good luck JBC77; I will be playing against you on this one.

Thats okay man. The best thing is, we have people contributing thoughtful information on both sides. Giving opinions, not guarantees.

With the last few days of nonsense around here there wasn't much to comment on.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Thats okay man. The best thing is, we have people contributing thoughtful information on both sides. Giving opinions, not guarantees.

With the last few days of nonsense around here there wasn't much to comment on.

I agree my friend; good luck tonight

[EaglesPhan36]

Wakefield has been a winner all through his career vs. TB. After TB got trounced by Texas on the road a couple times, I'll take BOS at home without thinking twice. I'm on BAL as a dog today myself vs. this one.

[AC1318]

wakefield is also 17-2 vs tampa lifetime...2-0 this year

I don't think this is accurate

[bigboydan]

I'm fed up with the D'rays right now LT. I'm gonna have to pass on this team for the rest of the season I think.

[AC1318]

shields 0-3 lifetime vs boston

wakefield as far as I know 16-7 vs TB

[EaglesPhan36]

AC, Yahoo Sports and MLB.com show Wakefield as 17-2 lifetime vs. TB.

[AC1318]

home vs TB

TIM WAKEFIELD'S TEAM IS 8-3 SU IN THESE GAMES.
DATE PITCHED FOR RUNS OPP RUNS IP ER BB K'S TEAM RESULT O/U O/U RESULT MONEY LINE OPP PITCHER
07/04/2007 BOS 7 TB 5 6⅓ 4 2 2 W 10½ O -230 E Jackson
05/28/2006 BOS 5 TB 4 8 0 1 4 W 10½ U -190 M Hendrickson
04/20/2006 BOS 1 TB 5 8 2 2 2 L 9½ U -160 S Kazmir
08/31/2005 BOS 7 TB 6 8 5 1 5 W 10½ O -210 C Fossum
04/17/2005 BOS 3 TB 1 6 1 3 5 W 10 U -200 S Kazmir
09/15/2004 BOS 8 TB 6 5 4 3 2 W 10½ O -320 D Brazelton
09/18/2003 BOS 4 TB 3 8⅓ 1 1 4 W 10 U -220 R Bell
07/23/2003 BOS 10 TB 4 7 4 1 5 W 9½ O -230 J Gonzalez
09/28/2002 BOS 6 TB 9 6 3 2 3 L 8½ O -280 V Zambrano
07/23/2002 BOS 22 TB 4 5 4 1 4 W 9½ O -240 T Sturtze
04/16/1999 BOS 2 TB 6 3 3 2 3 L 9½ U -180 B Rekar

[AC1318]

at TB

TIM WAKEFIELD'S TEAM IS 8-4 SU IN THESE GAMES.
DATE PITCHED FOR RUNS OPP RUNS IP ER BB K'S TEAM RESULT O/U O/U RESULT MONEY LINE OPP PITCHER
07/27/2007 BOS 7 @TB 1 6 1 3 7 W 10½ U 135 J Hammel
07/06/2006 BOS 12 @TB 5 5 4 3 3 W 9½ O 150 J Shields
09/21/2005 BOS 4 @TB 7 7⅔ 4 1 6 L 9½ O 135 S Kazmir
07/27/2005 BOS 4 @TB 1 7⅓ 0 3 4 W 10 U 165 S McClung
04/22/2005 BOS 4 @TB 5 6 2 3 2 L 9 P 140 S Kazmir
08/02/2004 BOS 6 @TB 3 7 3 4 3 W 9 P 125 M Hendrickson
05/18/2004 BOS 7 @TB 3 7 1 2 2 W 9½ O 153 M Hendrickson
09/28/2003 BOS 1 @TB 3 2 0 0 1 L 9 U 120 V Zambrano
07/03/2003 BOS 5 @TB 6 6⅔ 0 3 6 L 9½ O 160 J Gonzalez
04/01/2003 BOS 9 @TB 8 5 5 3 6 W 9 O 205 V Zambrano
09/12/2002 BOS 6 @TB 3 8 1 3 6 W 9 P 270 V Zambrano
06/19/2001 BOS 5 @TB 4 8⅓ 0 4 8 W 9½ U 145 B Rekar

[AC1318]

AC, Yahoo Sports and MLB.com show Wakefield as 17-2 lifetime vs. TB.

I also see 17-2 lifetime on CBS sportsline

one of these sites is wrong as if we need more variables to f\*\*k up the thought process.

I know some losses come from the team stats, pen etc...

but the extra win must come from a relief game he came into????

[EaglesPhan36]

Well you're looking at the team thing - he wasn't the losing pitcher in all of those losses and I would guess that the other difference comes in that he probably picked up wins in relief back when he was in the pen. Just a theory.

[bigboydan]

Lets not forget about the long flight after a very late game last night fellas.

[AC1318]

In any case I still like boston

I have to take the team total as my stat to follow, it shows the pen or someone gave the games away. 5 more losses is too many to overlook for me. At least the wins are close at 16 and 17. Well to the TB backers this should be another plus for you.

I am with you BBD on the long late trip.

[LT Profits]

Wakefield is 17-2 lifetime (not that I care...LOL)

16-7 is TEAM record in Wake's last 23 starts vs. TB

It's possible that the 23 games are ALL of his career starts against them, and that he picked up a win or two in relief.

[AC1318]

BATTER VS. PITCHER (Career)
vs James Shields
Player... AB.. H... HR.. BB.. SO.. AVG
Mirabelli....1...1...1...1...0... 1.000
Drew.... 3... 2... 0... 0... 1... .667
Lowell.. 4... 2... 0... 0... 1... .500
Varitek. 2... 1... 0... 0... 1... .500
Ortiz.... 8... 3... 2... 1... 1... .375

shields will need to rectify this quick to get a win.
If he pitches like you saw him pitch then there shouldn't be a problem

[WestsidePete]

Current tampa players only hitting .241 vs wakefield 41 for 170 w/22 hits coming from crawford by himself.

[JAHgger4noz]

I know its the Devil Rays vs. the Red Sox, but after watching Shields pitch against the Tigers with my own eyes his last time out, I came away asking myself "How does this guy ever lose a game?"

His line score was certainly impressive - one run, five hits, nine strikeouts and no walks in seven innings - but those numbers dont tell the whole story about how unhittable he looked that niight. The Tigers have one of the hottest offenses in baseball, yet they were consistently swinging and missing his pitches by a foot!

TB and SHields are a much different team when they play their own Division. Leaning towards the Over here. Wakefield may concern me here a little, he pitches well against them and does get the run support vs TB. Just hope it doesnt end up being a 6-2 game or something along those lines. Besides i havent seen Shields win back to back after the ALL Star Break,and after his wins huge Overs when it's a Division Opponent.