MLB Baseball
2012-05-18 - Atlanta Braves at Tampa Bay Rays
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Baseball : North America : MLB
Friday, May 18th, 2012, 7:10PM US
(12:10AM GMT)
PREVIEW
Atlanta beat Miami 7-0 yesterday as we won another bet involving the Braves, the Under. Today they start a 3 game series in interleague action against Tampa Bay, who lost 5-3 last night against Boston. I quite like the dogged Braves here.
The Braves go with Tommy Hanson, owner of a 4-3 record and a 3.43ERA. Since the beating he took when playing the Phillies, Hanson has gotten a lot better now, with his last start earning his team a win against the reigning champs, the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed just 1 run on 5 hits. Hanson has faced Tampa Bay just once before, but he shut them out over 7 innings, allowing just 3 hits and picked up a win.
The Rays counter with James Shields, who is bidding to become the first man in MLB this season to hit 7 wins. He is 6-1 with a 3.52ERA. His last start was not great, as he gave up 4 earned runs in 6 innings against Baltimore, yet had his team help him get the win.
Shields has faced Atlanta once before,gave up 3 runs in 6 innings and took the loss. His interleague play isn't great at all, with a 4.30ERA in 22 starts. His home record here is better though, with a 3.79ERA in 3 home starts, going 2-0, but the Braves are hitting well these days, registering 10 hits or more in 3 straight games and 6 of their last 7. The Braves are also scoring 5.31 overall and 5.18 in away games, where they are an impressive 14-8.
BETTING VERDICT
The Braves are doing well on the road. Tampa Bay have not been as great as one would think. They have won far too many games by just the slimmest of margins, and they were found out yesterday by a poor Boston side. I think they will get beaten again and I'm happy to take the value underdog price on Atlanta.
The Pick :
Atlanta Braves
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the Atlanta Braves to win @ 2.15 (Bodog)
