MLB Baseball
2012-04-18 - Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Wednesday 18 April 2012 - First Pitch 7:07pm ET
12:07am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays (6-4) took advantage of three errors from the Tampa Bay Rays (5-6) last night to win the game despite being out-hit in the contest. Tonight figures to be another game that could be decided by little things here and there to make all the difference.
Toronto were expected to be one of the challengers in the loaded American League East and they have not disappointed so far. They have been scoring runs fairly consistently in the last few games, but they might not need to do too much if their starting pitcher can continue his early 2012 form.
Brandon Morrow goes to the mound still awaiting his first decision of the season and he has a 2.57 ERA so far. Morrow has prevented the bats heating up for his opponents so far, but he still gave up 4 runs in 7 innings against the Baltimore Orioles last time out. The pitcher is now 1-3 and a 6.69 ERA in his last 6 starts at home.
Morrow should be able to pick up some confidence from the fact he is at least playing well against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was tagged in a 12-0 loss to them the last time he pitched against them, but he has a 4-2 record over the last 6 starts with a 2.25 ERA against the Rays.
Tampa Bay have really struggled at the plate in their recent games since the opening series with the New York Yankees, but it was the errors that killed them last night, while leaving too many men on base. However, the Rays send David Price to the mound to change their fortunes.
Price is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA this season and he was tagged heavily by the Boston Red Sox in his last start which lasted just 3 innings. However, Price has really enjoyed facing the Toronto Blue Jays, going 9-2 with a 2.06 ERA in his career. His last 3 starts in Canada has seen him reduce that to a 1.57 ERA.
Head to Head
Tampa Bay dominated the series last season, finishing up with a 12-6 record.
The Rays finished 6-3 here in Canada last season, and they are 10-2 in the last 12 when David Price has started.
Toronto are 2-1 in Game 2's this season, going 1-0 when they won the first game.
Tampa Bay are also 2-1 in Game 2's, going 1-1 after a loss.
Prediction
I saw some of the Toronto-Tampa Bay game last night and the Rays were very unfortunate to end up on the losing side as they made three errors throw Evan Longoria that extended innings that saw them lose runs.
I think they have the pitching edge tonight with David Price over Brandon Morrow and they had more hits than the Blue Jays last night.
With a little more luck, I think Tampa Bay can square the series, while David Price has led them to many more wins than losses here. At odds against, I'll take the Rays to move back to 0.500 for the season.
The Pick :
Toronto Blue Jays 2-3 Tampa Bay Rays
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Tampa Bay Rays @ 2.05
