Analysis:1* Take Tampa Bay (#961)
The Nationals spent almost a month as the hottest team in
baseball, reeling off 20 wins in a 25 game span. But that hot stretch is a long way in the
rear view mirror now. The Nats are 6-13
in their last 19 ballgames after yet another shutout loss last night; including
a 1-6 mark in their last seven home games.
Wednesday’s loss marked the 11th time during that span that
Washington has been held to three runs or less.
Don’t expect the slumping Nationals lineup to get back on
track here against Chris Archer, Tampa’s dominating young hurler. The Rays are 6-1 in Archer’s last seven trips
to the hill, and it’s mostly because of Archer – opposing teams have combined
to score eight runs against him in those last seven starts combined! He’s got a 31-1 strikeout to walk ratio in
three previous starts this month and he’s only given up three home runs since
getting hit hard by Baltimore in his first start of the campaign. Archer is an ace, plain and simple, worth
supporting in this modest favorite price range.
The first place Rays are the single best road team in
baseball this year, 18-11 away from the Trop following last night’s win. They’ve averaged just shy of five runs per
game while winning five of their last six overall; in excellent current
form. Washington’s Doug Fister is making
his first start back off the DL after missing more than a month with a flexor
strain. For a guy who is going to be on
a pitch count this evening, and who spent the first month of the season
struggling with his mechanics, I’m not expecting a gem…… Take the Rays.
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Pick Made: Jun 18 2015 8:26AM PST