MLB Baseball
2009-07-23 - Tampa Bay D-Rays at Chicago White Sox
A Sports Betting Pick by BetOnline
Baseball: United States, MLB
Thursday 23rd July 2009 - 2:05 PM ET (21:05 GMT)
Two of the top wild-card MLB betting contenders will wrap up a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday, when the Chicago White Sox will host the Tampa Bay Rays, featuring a pair of hurlers who are coming off solid outings.
Tampa Bay D-Rays (52-42 Overall - 22-27 Road)
Scott Kazmir (4-5, 6.62) badly needed a good bounce-back start after he was rocked by the Toronto Blue Jays on July 8th and came through in his first start after the All-Star break.
Kazmir scattered just one run on four hits over six innings to take a no-decision in a 4-2 win at Kansas City on July 18th. Kazmir has been far better on the road than at home, going 3-2 in six starts with a 3.38 ERA.
The 25-year-old southpaw was pounded in his last meeting with the White Sox earlier this season, dropping his record against them to 3-2 in six starts with a 4.46 ERA.
Chicago White Sox (48-45 Overall - 25-23 Home)
Mark Buerhle (10-3, 3.52) allowed a run on eight hits over 7.1 innings in his most recent start to earn his fourth win in five decisions in a 4-3 victory at Baltimore. He struck out four batters while walking none.
The 30-year-old lefty was on the winning end of Kazmir’s 8-3 loss to the White Sox back on April 18th, and he’s owned the Rays in his 11 career starts against them, posting a 7-2 record despite a 4.23 ERA.
THe Betting Verdict
Baseball lines should favor the White Sox at home, where Buerhle has been almost unbeatable with a 6-1 record in 11 starts with a 2.81 ERA.
The first two games of this series were split with each team winning by a one-run score, but with Buerhle on the mound, the betting edge definitely goes towards the White Sox as he’s dominated the Rays throughout his career.
The Pick :
Chicago White Sox
