February 2012 MLB Events
February 2012 MLB Events
Calendar of MLB Events for February 2012 brought to you by mlbsportsbetting.comMLB News
MLB – San Diego Padres tweak rotation2011-02-08
After absorbing an early exit last season, the San Diego Padres started wheeling and dealing to solidify their rotation and be more competitive next season.
The Padres acquired Jason Bartlett and a player yet to be determined in a deal that sent Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos, along with minor league prospects Brandon Gomes and infielder Cole Figueroa to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Bartlett, who averaged .254 with four homeruns and 47 RBI’s last season, will replace Miguel Tejada in the rotation after the 36-year-old shortstop signed with the San Francisco Giants.
Bartlett, who was originally drafted by the Padres in the 13th round of the 2001 amateur draft before trading him to Minnesota, expressed his excitement for having been traded in a team where he feels he can shine on.
“I'm excited,” said Bartlett. “I never got to the big leagues over there. I've heard the National League game is a lot different. My wife and I love the beach, so we're excited about that. Coming from Tampa, there's no better place to go than San Diego. Hopefully, I can be there for a while.”
Bartlett, who was an all-star in 2009 after setting career-best average of .320 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs to go with 90 runs scored and 30 stolen bases, had a poor performance last season, but he is hoping that he would get his rhythm back with his new team and help them reach their goal next season.
“Something clicked that year where everything was going right,” Bartlett said. “Hopefully it clicks again.”
Bartlett can become a free agent after the 2011 World Series, but Padres general manager Jed Hoyer is hoping that they could keep him in their fold for a long period of time. “Certainly in making this deal, I'm hopeful we can keep him in a Padres uniform beyond one year,” he said.
Hoyer said that he’s very familiar with Bartlett after spending some time in Boston’s front office and he believes that Bartlett would give them a big boost in their campaign next season.
“He was hard to play against,” Hoyer said. “He's a pest. He gets on base, he has good at-bats. He's a good all-around baseball player. There was always a focus on that breakout year he had, but even before that season you didn't want to see him in the batter's box. He's a player you didn't want to play against.”
Meanwhile, sources also said that the Padres are set to acquire second baseman Orlando Hudson, pending the completion of physical examinations.
According to sources, Hudson, who played with the Minnesota Twins last season where he averaged .268 and had 37 RBIs, will reportedly sign a two-year contract worth $11.5 million, and will replace David Eckstein in the Padres’ rotation.
The 33-year-old second baseman, who also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays, will receive $4 million in 2011, $5.5 million in 2012 with an $8 million option for 2013 with a $2 million buyout clause.
Padres general manager Hoyer has yet to announce the deal officially, but the acquisition of Hudson and the trade deal that they had would make them a team to watch next season. The Baseball Odds for the Padres winning the National League pennant in 2011 is +5000 making them the longest shot to win this coming season? Could be an interesting wager. Get over to sportsbook.com and get into the MLB betting action today.
MLB: Head-to-head dominance key factor for MLB Monday
2010-07-26
Monday’s Major League Baseball betting board features 10 games and for bettors, besides the usual array of systems, trends, pitching matchups, and strength ratings, the recent head-to-head history between the teams in four of the matchups has to be given top consideration. In fact, with the Phillies, Jays, Twins, and White Sox having thoroughly dominated their current opponent in recent years, series history might prove to be THE most important factor in handicapping tonight’s games. Let’s take a closer look at those four matchups. For more key info, visit the GAME MATCHUPS page on Sportsbook.com.
Series history is usually down the list when it comes to handicapping baseball on a day-to-day basis, but the simple fact is that some teams just fare well against other, be it due to talent differences, matchup considerations, or even comfort levels at certain ballparks. Whatever the reason, one of the teams in the upcoming four matchups I am about to detail has dominated the other.
(951) COLORADO (HAMMEL) at (952) PHILADELPHIA (BLANTON) - 1:05 PM
As you can see, this is an early start, so be sure to get to handicapping it early. If you want the short & sweet method, consider the Phillies, who are going for the 4-game sweep of the Rockies. Of course, beating Colorado is nothing new for Philadelphia. Including the first three games of this series, the Phillies have beaten the Rockies in 16 of the last 20 head-to-head meetings. In the games in Philly, the hosts are 9-2 during that span, outscoring their visiting foes by an average margin of 7-3.
Today’s meeting has a very manageable price as well, with Joe Blanton taking on Jason Hammel as the -115 home favorite, according to Sportsbook.com. Blanton will try to extend a strong run of pitching by Phillies hurlers, who’ve allowed just five run in their current 4-game winning streak. Amazingly, this will be Blanton’s first career start versus the Rockies.
If you need more than the head-to-head edge for Philly, consider the Rockies’ awful performance as road dogs in 2010:
• COLORADO is 3-14 (-10.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season. The average score was COLORADO 2.9, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 2*)
(959) BALTIMORE (BERGESEN) at (960) TORONTO (MORROW) - 7:07 PM
A series with the lowly Baltimore Orioles usually brings out the best in the Toronto Blue Jays, who look to move to 10-0 on the season against the Orioles when they open a three-game series Monday night at Rogers Centre. Last weekend, the Jays swept the O’s in Baltimore, and that dominance was nothing new for Toronto.
The Blue Jays have outscored the Orioles 48-16 in winning the first nine meetings of the season, including a 16-3 scoring edge in the three in Toronto. The Blue Jays, who haven't won 10 straight over the Orioles (31-67) in a single season since 1999, have won eight in row over Baltimore at Rogers Centre and 17 of the last 19 there. They are -200 favorites to extend their reign in the head-to-head series.
Brad Bergesen (3-8, 6.51 ERA) goes for the Orioles and has lost his last four starts and is 0-6 with a 7.20 ERA in nine outings since defeating Seattle on May 12.
The Blue Jays counter with Brandon Morrow (6-6, 4.71), who hasn't pitched since giving up two runs and five hits while striking out eight in seven innings in last Saturday's 3-2 win in Baltimore. It was his first victory in 10 starts away from Toronto this season. The right-hander has fared much better at Rogers Centre, going 5-1 with a 3.27 ERA in nine outings with the Blue Jays winning seven times. This will be Morrow's first start against the Orioles in Toronto.
After winning their last four games prior to the All-star break, the Orioles have returned to their losing ways, going 2-8 since. Other than an 11-run outburst in a win over Tampa Bay, the O’s have scored just 19 runs in the other nine games. Overall, they score just 3.6 runs per game, setting Toronto up for what has been a powerful StatFox betting angle:
• TORONTO is 16-0 (+16.0 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 3.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was TORONTO 6.0, OPPONENT 2.0 - (Rating = 2*)
Dating back to ’08, Toronto is 17-4 vs. Baltimore, producing +9.7 units of profit.
(965) MINNESOTA (LIRIANO) at (966) KANSAS CITY (GREINKE) - 8:10 PM
Minnesota's production at the plate has paved the way to six consecutive series victories against Kansas City, and it'll try to beat Royals ace Zack Greinke for a third time this season in Monday night's opener at Kauffman Stadium.
Despite holding Twins star Joe Mauer down (.219 average), Greinke hasn't been able to boast similar success against the rest of the Twins. He's 2-6 with a 4.31 ERA in 13 starts in the series, including 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in a pair of outings at Target Field this season.
The Twins counter with a pitcher capable of matching zeroes with Greinke, butFrancisco Liriano (8-7, 3.54) is just 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three starts at Kauffman Stadium, as the Royals are hitting .313 against him. Of course, Kansas City hitters own the best batting average in the major’s this season, at .281.
Being division rivals, these teams meet often, and Minnesota has beaten the Royals in 30 of the last 45 meetings dating back to ’08. Strangely, the Twins have been more effective at Kaufmann Stadium than at home during that stretch, going 16-5 for +11 units during that stretch.
The latest line shows a pick em’ for this contest, after Kansas City spent the last four days in New York, capturing one of the four contests as a +200 underdog or more.
(967) SEATTLE (HERNANDEZ) at (968) CHI WHITE SOX (DANKS) - 8:10 PM
In their last four games against the White Sox in 2010, the Mariners have mustered a total of five runs. Just last weekend in Seattle, Chicago took two of three games by holding the M’s to three runs in three days in front of their home fans.
As +115 underdogs on Monday night, the visiting Mariners will have to overcome a hot pitcher, and a team that has played nearly impeccable baseball at home over the last month to break the spell.
John Danks, who looks to win a fourth straight start overall, is 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his last four starts versus Seattle as well. He'll try to push Chicago's home winning streak to eight, which would be the club's longest since a nine-game stretch June 17-July 2, 2008.
Chicago, which has won 14 of 15 at U.S. Cellular Field since June 9, has won four straight and eight of nine at home against Seattle.
Looking to win three in a row for the first time since a six-game streak June 16-23, the Mariners give the ball to Felix Hernandez (7-6, 2.75), who hasn't allowed a run to the White Sox in his last three starts against them - a stretch covering 23 innings.
MLB: MLB Series Betting - Atlanta at San Francisco
2010-04-09
Both the Braves and Giants showed considerable improvement in 2009 and both hope to be able to continue that momentum into a new season, leading to postseason baseball. They meet this weekend in the Bay Area with the host Giants priced as a -130 series favorite according to Sportsbook.com. Let’s take a look at the series game-by-game.
The series opener is a game of firsts for both squads. This is the home opener for San Francisco who swept Houston in their building and this the first road game of a new campaign for Atlanta who won series over Chicago.
The Braves might be without one of their top sticks in the lineup as Chipper Jones strained his oblique muscle in batting practice yesterday and was forced out of the game on Thursday. Depending on the severity, he could miss one game or the entire series. That means others have to step up in his place like Brian McCann or rookie Jason Heyward for Braves club that is 29-47 on the road the last two years in the first half of the season.
The Braves welcome back Tim Hudson, who didn’t pitch until September last season after elbow surgery, but feels great and is ready for new campaign. “I feel like I had better stuff than I had before surgery,” Hudson told the Braves’ official Web site following a spring start. “It almost feels like I’m going out there and opening up a new present.” Atlanta is 8-3 when Hudson starts after scoring two runs or less and the right-hander is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four career starts at AT&T Park.
Everyone expects the Giants to have great pitching again, but they scored 18 runs in taking all three games vs. Astros, which included 19 base hits in Wednesday’s finale. San Francisco was very comfortable at home last season with 52-29 record.
Jonathan Sanchez will try to provide manager Bruce Boche with a fourth straight strong performance from the San Fran starters, which limited the Astros to three earned runs and 13 hits in 19 2/3 innings. Sanchez is entrenched in Giants lore, throwing no-hitter last season, the first in 33-years for San Francisco. He has classic three-quarters lefty delivery with low 90’s fastball and sweeping curveball. He’s improved his split pitch that he can fade down and away from right-hand batters.
Sportsbook.com has Atlanta as -110 money line favorite with total Un8 for this afternoon opener. The Braves ended last season winning 21 of last 28 road contests and is 9-3-1 UNDER in game one of series. The Giants are in potentially negative spot, with 9-23 record with Sanchez as underdog starter and they were 15-5-3 OVER as home pooch.
Game 1 Edge: San Francisco
The early part of the schedule is perfect time for manager’s to get their whole roster involved. The Braves website is suggesting that could be true. Catcher McCann is expected to be off in the series afternoon opener after catching a night game. McCann should be back in the batting order on Saturday. Fourth outfielder Matt Diaz is presumed to play in at least one game and Omar Infante is expected to fit in somewhere in the infield.
There has been conflicting reports about who the game two starter will be, however Derek Lowe is on normal rest, thus he’s expected to take the mound. Lowe allowed five earned runs in six innings against Chicago on Opening Day and didn’t look completely at ease with the changes he’s made in delivery to get more sink on his pitches. The Braves won Lowe’s last four road starts in 2009 and he’s 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his last nine starts against the Giants.
San Francisco is expected to counter with fifth start Todd Wellemeyer, who made the club as a non-roster invitee, beating out a couple of top prospects for the job, at least for now. The 31-year old righty was cut loose by St. Louis after 7-10 season (5.89 ERA), which saw him surrender 160 hits in 122 1/3 innings, including 19 that went over the fence. Expect Atlanta to load up with left-handed bats since that is really a troublesome area for Wellemeyer. Possibly the Giants can hit their way to a victory and they are 6-2 at home against right-hand starters to begin the series.
Game 2 Edge: Atlanta
Tim Lincecum is expected to close the series for Giants in afternoon action and was dazzling in his initial start of the season. The two-time Cy Young winner looked intent on a third, hurling seven shutout innings, conceding four hits –all singles, fanning seven Houston batters and walking none. He will look to master the Braves lineup and is 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA in six career starts against the Atlanta.
Bobby Cox could counter Lincecum with Kenshin Kawakami, his fifth starter. The Japanese right-hander was 7-12 with 3.86 ERA last season and earned the nickname “Dragonslayer” in out-pitching Roy Halladay and Ervin Santana last year for wins. He’ll have his chance to enhance that image against San Fran’s ace, being you typical Far East pitcher with array of fastballs, late-breaking sliders and downward curveballs, unafraid to throw any or all pitches on any count. Kawakami will get smoked if he throws the ball over the plate.
Game 3 Edge: San Francisco
The key to the series is the first game, as the latter two contests have team aces up against No. 5 starters. Both bullpens have been sharp to start the year so not much difference there. For this series we’ll give the nod to the Giants because of history in the Bay Area. San Francisco has won four in a row over Atlanta and seven of eight at AT&T Park.
Sportsbook.com series odds: Atlanta Even, San Francisco -130
StatFox Edge Pick: San Francisco
MLB: Yankees are revenge-minded favorites
2009-08-06
The New York Yankees hold down first place in the American League East, however that will be only one the things they will have on their minds as Boston comes to town for consequential four-game series. New York is 0 for 2009 against the Red Sox, having lost eight games to them and they fully realized many more losses could cost them coveted division crown. If ever there was a time to break the slump, bettors believe it is tonight in New York, as over 90% of players at Sportsbook.com are on that side of the wager.
With the Yankees having been outscored 55-31 by the BoSox this season, manager Joe Girardi framed succinctly what these games mean. “You want to get that zero, that goose egg out of there,” Girardi said. “We’re going to be asked about that goose egg as long as it’s there, so you want to get that out of the way as soon as possible.”
After playing sloppy baseball the first three games in Chicago, New York won the last contest against the White Sox and swept Toronto 2-0, including taking down Yankee-killer Roy Halladay. This has to give Girardi’s club a mental boost and they are 14-2 after six or more consecutive road games this season.
Boston (62-44, +3 units) limps into the Big Apple, after losing two to Tampa Bay, falling further behind the Bronx Bombers and letting the Rays narrow the gap for wild card to three games. The Red Sox offense has been inconsistent all season on the road, scoring 4.8 runs per game, but tending to do it bunches. This accounts for 27-27 record and they are only 18-29 playing against a team with win percentage of 54-to-62 percent in the second half of the season since last year.
Boston will be at another disadvantage, as pickup John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA) has been totally ineffective. In his last three starts, Smoltz has ERA of 9.18 and has been tagged for six home runs, not exactly recipe for success at long ball-friendly Yankee Stadium. Though the former Atlanta hurler didn’t walk a batter, he is 1-8 after allowing no free passes over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)
The Yanks Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) by contrast has been amazingly effective. He’s come up with several big performances when New York has needed them and in last three starts, he has 0.83 ERA over 21 innings, surrendering just eight hits, posting three wins. Chamberlain and his pin-striped teammates are 14-3 in his last 17 starts in the Bronx.
Sports bettors are pounding the money line at Sportsbook.com on New York, now up to -200 after opening at -170, with the total relatively stable at Un10. The Red Sox should have confidence based on this year’s results and are 22-7 vs. AL teams scoring 5.2 or more runs a game on the season. New York returns home feeling much the same way on three game winning streak. The Yankees are 20-6 off a victory and have won 27 of last 37 encounters. They have had their way with right-hand starters with sensational 17-4 record.
First pitch is set for 7:05 Eastern and though public perception is these rivals always play high-scoring games, they are 9-9 against the total playing in New York.
MLB: Baseball rivals offers bettors options
2009-06-16
It’s rare in interleague play that the baseball schedule has natural rivals competing in the middle of the week, instead of the usual weekend affairs. However, in Chicago and Texas, that’s how it falls this year, with the teams from the Windy City meeting again on the South Side in 10 days and two clubs from the Lone Star State having already played on the weekend last month. Here is look at how each series will start between these rivals. Get more on these series’ on the GAME
MATCHUPS page.
White Sox at Cubs
Emotions run high in Chicago when these two teams compete, no matter where they are positioned in the standings. Thus far in 2009, both teams are trying to find the elixir that led them to division crowns a season ago. The White Sox (30-34, -5.6 units) has seen their offense suffer, with not enough runners on base and their aging sluggers not taking the ball over the wall as frequently. The Sox are 13th in batting average in the American League and are next to last in runs scored at 4.1 per game in the league. The Pale Hose are +145 underdogs and are 16-37 as a road pooch of less than +150.
The Cubs (30-30, -7.1 units) were expected to be controlling the NL Central, instead they have been mired in mediocrity with .500 record. Don’t blame the pitching; which is third in baseball in runs allowed at 4.1, it has been anemic offense which has been the problem. The Cubbies bats have been nearly as quiet as their city counterparts at 4.2 RPG, with a worse team batting average of .245. Since May 19, the Cubs have scored three runs or less in 16 of last 24 contests and are 13-20 (-12.0 Units) against the money line after one or more consecutive Unders this season.
The pitching matchup appears unlikely to yield many runs with John Danks (4-5, 4.81 ERA) facing Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.39). The lefty Danks is off his best performance in weeks, allowing two runs and striking out seven in a season-high 7 1/3 innings, though he lost 2-1 to Detroit. The White Sox are 6-2 in Danks last eight starts as road dog. Zambrano is also one off one of his best outings of the year, permitting one run and three hits in eight innings against Houston, with the bullpen losing it in the ninth. The Cubs are 32-12 with Big Z pitching at Wrigley Field against teams with losing records.
First pitch is set for just after 8 Eastern on WGN and since interleague play began, these teams are tied at 33 facing one another.
Houston at Texas
After talk of firing manager Cecil Cooper emerged in late May, the Houston players started to take responsibility and have won five consecutive series, raising their record to 29-32 (-2.5 units). The Astros have won 11 of last 16, in spite of an up and down offense, littered with veteran players, mostly past their prime. Houston has only averaged 3.7 RPG in last seven outings, yet is 6-0 in road games with an on-base percentage of .285 or worse over their last five contests this season.
Texas (35-27, +9.8 units) still maintains its lead in the AL West, with the Angels picking up ground on the Rangers who have lost four of six on this homestand. Though people are pointing to Josh Hamilton not being in the lineup for Texas, players like Ian Kinsler and Michael Young are hitting .125 or less of late, making the real reason for Rangers offensive failures placed on others not stepping up. “We’re not panicking when it comes to our offense,” said Young. “We know we’ll make adjustments. … We’ll get there. We’re confident. It’s a matter of time.” If he’s correct, Texas should improve upon 15-6 record having lost two of their last three games this season.
Wandy Rodriguez (5-5, 2.82) will oppose Kevin Millwood (6-4, 2.72) in this Texas shootout. Rodriguez record doesn’t show how effective he’s pitched and he is 3-0 against Texas. His downfall has always been on the road, with Houston 5-17 versus teams with winning records when the left-hander takes the ball. Conversely, Millwood and the Rangers are 19-7 at home against clubs with losing records.
Sportsbook.com has Texas as -133 money line favorites with total of Ov9 and is off a sweep of the Astros in Houston. The Rangers are 10-1 UNDER at home when the total is 8.5 to 10 this season and 16-6 UNDER against left-handed starters.
The matchup in the great state of Texas commences at 8:05 Eastern.
MLB: Boston in Great Betting Situation
2008-10-13
For the first time in the postseason this year, a series is tied at 1-1 changing locations. Tampa Bay avoided the dreaded 0-2 start with 9-8 extra inning win, however Boston is far from disappointed having earned a split, returning to Fenway Park. The Red Sox had the majors’ second-best home record at 57-26 this season, and have won 12 of their last 15 playoff games at Fenway.
“I don’t really see the sense of urgency right now,” said Boston’s Jon Lester, who has not lost at home since April and will start Monday. “We’re at home, and we’ve got three against them here, and hopefully we can put up a good fight these next couple games and pick up a couple wins.” In spite of losing a series to Tampa Bay at home in September for the first time ever, the Red Sox have won 32 of last 39 games at home against the Rays.
Lester (17-6, 3.01 ERA) has become a post-season beast (no earned runs in 19 2/3 innings) and presently is the best pitcher on the Boston staff. He is perfectly suited to take on a team like the free swinging Rays, being 12-0 against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times a game over the last two seasons. (Red Sox record) The young left-hander has become and accomplished stopper as well, as he and Boston are 10-2 when he pitches after a loss.
Tampa Bay is taking the right approach, in learning from winning at Fenway, taking their first ever series at the venerable ballyard. “Those (wins at Boston) were huge momentum shifts,” Tampa pitcher Matt Garza, told the team’s official Web site. “We needed those two in Boston - it let us know there is no curse, that we can play there and win.” Garza (11-10, 3.82) is going to have to pitch the game of his life to win the pivotal Game 3, and he is capable with 3-1 mark against the Red Sox with 3.86 ERA. He also backed by the Rays feeding off the energy of a close win being 21-8 after a one run win this season.
Sportsbook.com has Boston as -180 money line home favorite and has proven to be deadly in this price range. The Red Sox are 45-16 as a favorite of -150 or more this season and 24-5 as a home favorite of -150 to -200 this season. Lester and his teammates have been nearly unbeatable combination with 14-1 record as a home favorite of -110 or higher, wining by 4.4 runs per game.
Tampa Bay is 39-23 vs. an American League starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.00 or better this season and will have to have Garza pitch better on the road than he has all season. The Rays right-hander is 4-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 16 road starts (Team record 5-11) in 2008.
As is the case in all ALCS games this season, TBS will have the telecast, with first pitch set for 4.37 Eastern.
StatFox Power Line – Boston -142
MLB: Baseball System Favors Toronto
2008-07-29
Shhhh…..don’t say a word. Quieter than the inside of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Toronto Blue Jays have moved two games over .500, to 54-52. They’ll try to pick up another valuable game in the standings Tuesday night vs. the Rays. At last check, 74% of early bettors at Sportsbook.com like the Blue Jays’ chances.
Toronto is still in fourth place in the AL East, but has crept within 7.5 games of first place Tampa Bay and within six games in the loss column of really getting into the thick of the wild card race. With last night’s 3-1 win over the Rays, the Blue Jays have won seven of nine games to tighten the pack in the ever more interesting Eastern Divisional race.
It’s not like Toronto was ever horrible to start, as they are +36 in run differential, which is one behind Tampa Bay and three behind the Angels, who holds the best record in baseball. Pitching has not been a problem for the Jays, it has been a lack if offense. They rank 12th in total bases, 11th in runs scored and lack power, presently next to last in home runs with 75 in the American League. The offense has perked up lately, averaging 5.6 runs per game, which will be needed if Cito Gaston’s second tour of duty as manager is to known as being eventful.
Toronto is 15-4 in July home games the last two years and will have their ace Roy Halladay (12-7, 2.82, 1.036 WHIP) taking the ball in game two. Two of Halladay worst outings of the season have come against Tampa Bay, as he has failed to beat them, allowing five runs in each ballgame. This is one of baseball’s crazy quirks, seeing the Rays are only batting .260 as a team. Halladay and the Blue Jays are domineering playing on artificial turf, with 37-11 record and the oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com are showing preference, with Toronto a -160 favorite with total of Un7.5.
This information plays right into well-heeled system that delivers more profits over time than any stock tip one could gamble on.
PLAY ON all favorites with a money line of -150 or more, facing below average hitting team like Tampa Bay (BA .265 or less), against a good starting pitcher like Roy Halladay (ERA 4.20 or less) in the AL, in the second half of the season.
The expression “the cream rising to the top” certainly is important in this super situation. As the season wears along, the best pitchers normally put together winning streaks, which ultimately lead to very good records at the end of the year. Halladay, with one Cy Young award and five All-Star appearances meets this criteria. Since 1997, this galvanic system is 70-16, 81.4 percent.
The Rays continue to have issues relating to the past. They are 13-34 against the money line in road games after two or more consecutive losses over the last two seasons. Having scored just two total runs in consecutive defeats, manager Joe Maddon’s all to familiar scene continues with his club 3-17 in road games after scoring three runs or less two straight games since the beginning of 2007 campaign.
The Rays Matt Garza (8-6, 3.83, 1.252) has numbers like a lot of younger pitchers, very good at home and less then desirable on the road. Garza has 6.04 road ERA and he and teammates have won twice in his nine starts in visiting uniforms.
In the last few years, this system hasn’t come up a great deal, as the steroid-era has been winding down, still has been sensational at 10-1, with average margin of victory 2.4 runs.
This AL East encounter starts at 7:07 Eastern north of the border.