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\u2019re not ready to quit just yet. <\/p>\n
Bet On MLB \u2013 Rays vs Rangers Preview & Pick<\/strong> Tampa Bay Rays (73-59 through August 28)<\/strong> They\u2019ve closed to within six games of the Bronx Bombers for the Wildcard spot.<\/p>\n The road back to the playoffs doesn\u2019t get any easier for Tampa when it travels to Texas this week. Sensational rookie Jeremy Hellickson gets the nod for Tuesday\u2019s opener. He\u2019s been tough to hit, keeping opponents to a .216 average, but he\u2019s also posted a respectable walk rate. Usually you do one or the other. It doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Hellickson has never faced the Rangers in his career.<\/p>\n Texas Rangers (76-59 through August 28)<\/strong> While the Rangers didn\u2019t 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′]<\/p>\n They did lose talented but oft-injured slugger Nelson Cruz to yet another hamstring injury over the weekend. He\u2019s questionable for Tuesday\u2019s game and could join Adrian Beltre on the DL.<\/p>\n But the Rangers\u2019 supreme offensive depth still shines through; Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Mike Napoli and Ian Kinsler can shoulder the load with Cruz and Beltre shelved.<\/p>\n Scott Feldman\u2019s star sure has fallen since he won 17 games two seasons ago, hasn\u2019t it? The innings eater will make his first start of 2011 this Tuesday. He\u2019s 3-1 with a 1.73 lifetime ERA against the Rays.<\/p>\n Under is 16-5-1 in TB last 22 Tue. games. I know Feldman\u2019s track record against Tampa sparkles \u2013 but can we trust it? He hasn\u2019t faced the Rays this season. The numbers reflect the \u201cold\u201d Feldman. He certainly has succeeded against Tampa\u2019s best in the past \u2013 Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist are a combined 2 for 22 against him \u2013 but I\u2019m still not sold.<\/p>\n We just don\u2019t know what we\u2019re getting with Feldman, who hasn\u2019t started this season. Hellickson, meanwhile, has been consistently strong. He also has the element of surprise as an arm Texas hasn\u2019t faced before.<\/p>\n I like Tampa for a minor road upset.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Tuesday, August 30, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>SUN, FSH
\nTampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: OFF <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: OFF <\/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
\nJeremy Hellickson (11-9, 3.01)<\/p>\n
\nScott Feldman (0-0, 3.94)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nTB are 14-6 in their last 20 overall.
\nUnder is 9-4-1 in TB last 14 overall.
\nOver is 11-4 in TEX last 15 games following a win.
\nOver is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Texas.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n