SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
MLB Saturday Betting Preview: Hot Rays host Yankees in middle game after tight opener
MLB Saturday Betting Preview: “Hot Rays host Yankees in middle game after tight opener”
by "Reload" Joe Freda
The Tampa Bay Rays have won seven straight, picking up a 3-2 win as 104 home dogs against the New York Yankees in Friday’s series-opener between the American League East rivals. Tampa Bay (64-38) pulled to within one game of New York (65-37) for the division’s lead with the win, with Matthew Joyce’s three-run homer in the sixth inning providing the go-ahead support.
Rays starter Wade Davis got the win, striking out six over seven innings. Davis was relieved by Joaquin Benoit and Rafael Soriano, who united to pitch two hit-less innings, preserving the close lead.
New York’s Nick Swisher got his squad on the board early with a 2-0 lead, knocking in leadoff man Derek Jeter with a first-inning homer. Swisher and Jeter failed to strike after the first frame, both finishing with 1-for-4 nights.
The five combined runs stayed south of the game’s nine-run ‘total,’ ending a 9-0 ‘over’ streak between the foes.
Saturday’s rematch is a battle of righties with the Rays sending Matt Garza (11-5, 4.06 ERA) to the hill against New York’s Javier Vazquez (9-7, 4.54 ERA). Sports books opened Garza as a mild 111 favorite while setting the ‘total’ at 8 ½ ‘over’ (minus 120).
Garza pitched a complete-game no-hitter in his last start (120 pitches) as 180 home ‘chalk’ in Monday’s 5-0 shutout against the Detroit Tigers. The 2008 ALCS MVP struck out six, while a grand-slam from his mate Joyce provided Tampa Bay’s main run support.
The Rays are 8-2 in Garza’s 10 home starts, with the ‘over’ 5-4-1 in that span. Garza’s mates have outscored opponents by a margin of 5.2-3.6 RPG at Tropicana Field.
Vazquez has not had a loss decision for the Yankees during July, picking up three wins in four starts. The 13-year veteran stood in for seven innings (102 pitches) in Monday’s 3-2 victory for New York as a 170 road favorite, allowing five hits while striking out five.
New York’s late relief from David Robertson, Boone Logan and Mariano Rivera combined for two innings of one-hit pitching. Rivera picked up his 21st save and has not taken the mound since.
The Yankees are 6-5 in Vazquez’ 11 road starts, with the ‘under’ also 6-5. Run support has not been apparent in that stretch, with New York logging 2.9 RPG while allowing 3.8 RPG.
Tampa Bay has been without right fielder Ben Zobrist (.272 BA) for two games, with the switch-hitter sidelined by back stiffness. Zobrist is “expected to miss” the entire series against New York, according to DonBest.com.
Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET), with MLB Network nationally televising the battle. Tropicana Field’s dome makes weather conditions negligible.
The duel has umpire Scott Barry slated to call the balls and strikes. Barry’s 21 games behind the plate have had the home team and ‘over’ cash at 12-9 and 13-8, respectively.
Sunday afternoon’s series-finale has New York’s CC Sabathia (13-4, 3.15 ERA) expected to start against Tampa Bay’s James Shields (9-9, 4.79 ERA). Day games have had opposite results for these hurlers with Sabathia allowing a stingy OBP of .259, while Shields’ OBP is .351.
Reply With Quote