Odorizzi tries to prevent sweep vs. BoSox
While David Ortiz is sure to receive a warm reception from South Florida fans today, the Rays aren’t interested in feting Boston’s retiring slugger. Instead, they’re trying to snap the opposition’s absurd winning streak.
Tampa Bay and the Red Sox wrap up their four-game set this afternoon, with a 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Tropicana Field. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the visitors odds of -125 to capture their 11th victory in a row. Kevin Cash’s troops, on the other hand, symbolize +105 underdogs. The over/under run figure rests at eight.
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All eyes will certainly be on Ortiz, who’s looking to mark his final appearance in St. Petersburg with a bang. Despite managing just a single in the second contest of the series, the 2013 World Series MVP’s in the midst of a banner sprint to the finish line. Ortiz paces the majors in slugging percentage (.631) and OPS (1.036).
Nonetheless, Jake Odorizzi promises to give No. 34 a stiff challenge. The righty holds a 2-0 record with a 1.01 ERA vs. Boston in four career outings at home. Most recently, he limited Baltimore to one run across six frames of work.
On the other side, Eduardo Rodriguez hopes to avoid another disaster against the Rays. They terrorized the lefty for nine hits and 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings of a June 27 defeat. The lefty’s post-All-Star break numbers, however, are quite commendable. He boasts a 3.21 ERA since July 16.
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We continue to marvel at how the Red Sox have completely seized control of the American League East. Even so, Odorizzi seems to possess the advantage here. John Farrell’s crew could actually get caught looking ahead to its forthcoming tussles with the Yankees.
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