Rays vs. Cardinals Pick
Are the Tampa Bay Rays going to get the job done Friday night at the St. Louis Cardinals? First pitch is at 8:15PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book BetDSI have made the Cardinals a -180 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +155 underdog, while the over-under is 8.5.
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Tampa Bay will go with Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.74 ERA), while the Cardinals turn to Michael Wacha (9-6, 4.08). Odorizzi was shelled for seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings his last start, a 7-6 home loss to the Mariners. He has a 1.34 WHIP, while on the road he has a 4.04 ERA in 42 1/3 innings. Wacha has given up nine earned runs in nine innings his last two starts, both Cardinals losses. He has a 1.35 WHIP, while he has a 2.99 ERA in 13 home starts.
The Rays come in with a 63-66 record and are 29-33 on the road, while the Cardinals are 64-63 and 36-29 at home. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2014, when the Rays won three of four games.
Tampa Bay won two of three versus Toronto in its most recent series, including a 2-0 win Thursday. Steve Cishek earned the win in relief as he combined with four other pitchers on the shutout. Alex Colome recorded his 38th save. Corey Dickerson hit a home run and scored both runs, while Evan Longoria and Jesus Sucre each had two hits. The Cardinals lost 4-3 to the Padres at home Thursday and lost two of three in the series. Paul DeJong and Dexter Fowler both had three hits and scored a run. Kolten Wong recorded two hits, while Randall Grichuk added a solo home run. Sam Tuivailala took the loss in relief.
Wacha has been very strong at home, while it’s almost impossible to trust Odorizzi right now. He hasn’t been working deep into games, even when he hasn’t given up many runs. Expect the Cardinals to rebound from a down series with the Padres.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BALTIMORE ORIOLES -120