PREMIUM
*10* AL Game of the Day ($20 Tuesday!) >> 124-92-2 All Sports Run!
(MLB) Boston vs. Tampa Bay,
Money Line: -118.00 Tampa Bay (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -118.00 Tampa Bay (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Boston Red Sox finish the season with 22 of their remaining 38 games on the road but that doesn't seem like bad news, as Boston's 6-2 win last night at Tampa Bay gives them a 32-27 record away from Fenway, good enough to be the second-best road record in the AL. The victory moved Boston into a tie for first place in the AL East with the idle Toronto Blue Jays, while the last-place Rays lost for only the second time in their last eight outings. In speaking about his team's road challenges the remainder of the season, Boston manager John Farrell said, "We've embraced it. So much has been made that we're going to have such a tough road, and don't get me wrong, we have a tough road ahead of us, regardless of where we're playing. But the fact that our guys have let it roll off their back. They've bonded even closer together as we get deeper into the season."
The pitching matchup: Two pitchers who have had past success but have struggled in 2016 square off in tonight's game. Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.42 ERA) goes for Boston and Chris Archer (7-16, 4.18 ERA) for Tampa Bay. Buchholz was sent to the bullpen but is making his third straight start since returning to the role of starter, tonight. His confidence could (should?) be high, considering he owns a 2.63 ERA in 20 career starts vs. the Rays, the second best of any pitcher with 10 or more starts. Archer was an All Star last year but is having a ‘nightmare' season in 2016. He currently owns the worst moneyline mark of any starter this season, with the Rays just 7-16 in all of his outings, giving him a minus-$1228 mark at $100/game.
The pick: To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Archer is 1-9 in his career with a 5.82 ERA against Boston, having lost nine straight decisions. He's faced the Red Sox three times in 2016, going 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA. Yes, Archer has struggled vs. the Red Sox and is having an awful season but Buchholz is not the kind of pitcher I'm willing to back on the road. From late May until just recently, he made just three starts in 15 appearances and only returned to the Boston rotation on August 13 because of injuries to the rotation. Tampa Bay is a top rated 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Two pitchers who have had past success but have struggled in 2016 square off in tonight's game. Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.42 ERA) goes for Boston and Chris Archer (7-16, 4.18 ERA) for Tampa Bay. Buchholz was sent to the bullpen but is making his third straight start since returning to the role of starter, tonight. His confidence could (should?) be high, considering he owns a 2.63 ERA in 20 career starts vs. the Rays, the second best of any pitcher with 10 or more starts. Archer was an All Star last year but is having a ‘nightmare' season in 2016. He currently owns the worst moneyline mark of any starter this season, with the Rays just 7-16 in all of his outings, giving him a minus-$1228 mark at $100/game.
The pick: To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Archer is 1-9 in his career with a 5.82 ERA against Boston, having lost nine straight decisions. He's faced the Red Sox three times in 2016, going 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA. Yes, Archer has struggled vs. the Red Sox and is having an awful season but Buchholz is not the kind of pitcher I'm willing to back on the road. From late May until just recently, he made just three starts in 15 appearances and only returned to the Boston rotation on August 13 because of injuries to the rotation. Tampa Bay is a top rated 10* play.
