Texas vs Tampa Bay MLB Gambling Tips
The Texas Rangers will travel to the Sunshine State on Friday to open a three-game series against Tampa Bay, which lost two straight to Toronto after winning their Opening Day game behind pitcher David Price.
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TEX: Joe Saunders (L) (2013: 11-16, 5.26 ERA) v TB: Jake Odorizzi (R) (2013: 7-4, 2.92 ERA)
Date/Time: 7:10 pm ET Friday, April 4, 2014
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Broadcast: LOCAL
Line: Tampa Bay -141
Total: 8.5
Odds From
The Rays (1-2) are anticipated to be a major contender in the AL East this season with some familiar names expected to carry the offense in as Desmond Jennings, Evan Longoria and last year’s AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers. All of which have been the club’s three leading hitters so far this season.
Meyers was scratched from the lineup in the Rays 7-2 win over Toronto on Thursday due to flulike symptoms, but could be back in the lineup for Friday’s matchup with Texas.
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The Rangers (2-1)meanwhile, have rebounded following an awful spring, and a pretty dreadful second half of 2013
The offense has been clicking behind center fielder Leonys Martin who has excelled over the first three games, hitting .455 with a team-high four RBIs.
Alex Rios has also pitched in, hitting .417 with the team’s only home run so far, while Adrian Beltre is hitting .417.
The Rangers will try and halt the Rays offensive production by sending veteran hurleer Joe Saunders to the hill on Friday.
Saunders was shelled in his last start during spring training, allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of work against a lineup full of Houston Astros minor leaguers at the Alamodome, a crazy ballpark where home runs seemed to come with ease.
He gave up four homers in that one, and took a grounder off the side of his left leg just below the knee too. The 32-year-old is 0-3 in as many starts against the Rays, with a 8.40 ERA.
The Rays will counter with 24-year-old righty Jake Odorizzi who was 0-1 in four starts in 2013 with a 3.94 ERA. He has never faced the Rangers in his two years in the majors.
Matt’s Free Prediction:
Tampa Bay- The teams split eight meetings in 2013, with the Tampa Bay getting the biggest win — a 5-2 victory in a AL Wild Card tiebreaker to give the them the second wild card berth in the American League.
Saunders has had terrible fortune against the Rays in his career, while Odorizzi could give the Rangers problems. Both teams have been playing well out of the gate, but I’ll take the Rays at home.
