Is there still a glimmer of hope for the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East race? <\/p>\n
Bet on MLB \u2013 Rays vs. Blue Jays Preview & Pick<\/strong> Tampa Bay Rays (70-58 through August 24)<\/strong> Given how well they\u2019ve played this month, a 7.5-game deficit (behind the Yankees for the Wild Card) doesn\u2019t seem insurmountable. Tampa is 11-4 over its last 15 games.<\/p>\n The Rays will send James Shields to the hill against the pesky Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at the Rogers Centre. While his overall numbers for the season still sparkle, Shields has had a strange second half so far, posting a 5.11 ERA and getting rocked for six-plus runs three times.<\/p>\n Shields has absolutely owned the Blue Jays in two starts this season, winning twice and allowing one earned run in 16.1 innings. He threw a complete-game shutout in his last trip to the Rogers Center.<\/p>\n Toronto Blue Jays (66-63 through August 24)<\/strong> The Blue Jays continue to build their case as a hot sleeper pick for 2012 or 2013, as they\u2019ve been a tough out all season long and they\u2019re assembling a promising young roster. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The megahyped Brett Lawrie still has an OPS over 1.000 and a .328 average through 18 games; Jays fans are thrilled with the Colby Rasmus acquisition; Ricky Romero has become an ace; and Jose Bautista is up to 37 homers on the year.<\/p>\n Does youngster Henderson Alvarez fit into the future puzzle? Hard to say. Baseball America <\/em>didn\u2019t rank him among the Jays\u2019 top 10 prospects to start this season. He\u2019s winless over his first three starts but he\u2019s shown decent control, walking three batters in 16.2 innings.<\/p>\n Under is 12-3-1 in TB last 16 overall. While Alvarez does have the element of surprise in his favor, he\u2019s also had the luxury of facing two of baseball\u2019s very worst lineups, the Oakland Athletics (twice) and the Seattle Mariners. Evan Longoria and the Rays will be a major step up in competition.<\/p>\n Given Alvarez\u2019s inexperience and Shields\u2019 utter dominance of the Jays this season, I\u2019ll take my chances on the road team.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, August 26, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>SUN, RSN
\nTampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Lines from BetUS.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Rays -139 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8.5<\/strong>
\n CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —><\/strong><\/a>
\n Bet now at BETONLINE —><\/strong><\/a>
\nTalk smack about MLB Baseball Today In Our Forums –><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nJames Shields (11-10, 3.05)<\/p>\n
\nHenderson Alvarez (0-1, 4.32)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nTB are 8-3 in their last 11 games on astroturf.
\nUnder is 9-4-2 in TB last 15 Fri. games.
\nUnder is 5-2-1 in TOR last 8 overall.
\nTOR are 36-15 in their last 51 Fri. games.
\nOver is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings in Toronto.
\nTB are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n