MLB Betting – Rays vs Rangers Preview & Pick
After pummelling the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, the Rays have sent a clear message to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the American League East: we’re not ready to quit just yet.
THE BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR AMERICA’S PASTTIME! – CLICK HERE NOW + BET ON MLB TODAY!
Bet On MLB – Rays vs Rangers Preview & Pick
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX
Broadcast: SUN, FSH
Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line: OFF
Over/Under: OFF
CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —>
Bet now at BETONLINE —>
Talk smack about MLB Baseball Today In Our Forums –>
Tampa Bay Rays (73-59 through August 28)
Jeremy Hellickson (11-9, 3.01)
They’ve closed to within six games of the Bronx Bombers for the Wildcard spot.
The road back to the playoffs doesn’t get any easier for Tampa when it travels to Texas this week. Sensational rookie Jeremy Hellickson gets the nod for Tuesday’s opener. He’s been tough to hit, keeping opponents to a .216 average, but he’s also posted a respectable walk rate. Usually you do one or the other. It doesn’t seem like teams are figuring out the rookie, either; his second-half ERA is three quarters of a run lower than his pre-break mark.
Hellickson has never faced the Rangers in his career.
Texas Rangers (76-59 through August 28)
Scott Feldman (0-0, 3.94)
While the Rangers didn’t leave the Angels in the dust over the weekend, they widened their AL West lead by taking two of three contests. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
They did lose talented but oft-injured slugger Nelson Cruz to yet another hamstring injury over the weekend. He’s questionable for Tuesday’s game and could join Adrian Beltre on the DL.
But the Rangers’ supreme offensive depth still shines through; Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Mike Napoli and Ian Kinsler can shoulder the load with Cruz and Beltre shelved.
Scott Feldman’s star sure has fallen since he won 17 games two seasons ago, hasn’t it? The innings eater will make his first start of 2011 this Tuesday. He’s 3-1 with a 1.73 lifetime ERA against the Rays.
MLB Trends
Under is 16-5-1 in TB last 22 Tue. games.
TB are 14-6 in their last 20 overall.
Under is 9-4-1 in TB last 14 overall.
Over is 11-4 in TEX last 15 games following a win.
Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Texas.
MLB Free pick:
I know Feldman’s track record against Tampa sparkles – but can we trust it? He hasn’t faced the Rays this season. The numbers reflect the “old” Feldman. He certainly has succeeded against Tampa’s best in the past – Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist are a combined 2 for 22 against him – but I’m still not sold.
We just don’t know what we’re getting with Feldman, who hasn’t started this season. Hellickson, meanwhile, has been consistently strong. He also has the element of surprise as an arm Texas hasn’t faced before.
I like Tampa for a minor road upset.
Rays vs Rangers prediction: Rays 5, Rangers 3
