There are too many reasons to like the Fish here. I know Eovaldi had a great game against the Nationals, but it was at home and the Nationals suck right now. He came back the end of May and threw a shut out against Oakland, and that was when Oakland was in a funk. In between he's been hammered, especially on the road. At Washington the first time around, at New York, and at Houston - he allowed four or more earned runs in each start. Most people, myself included, have auto-faded Chen after that horrid return, but last week he held Arizona to one run over six innings, and at home his .212 BAA is quite stellar expecially when you compare it to his .361 BAA on the road. The Fish were at home yesterday while the Rays were taking care of Houston, but it was Blake Snell on the mound, not Eovaldi. In that series they got great pitching from Stanek and Font as well. The had to fly to Miami, and although it's not a long flight, it's a flight. They could be a little TOO high here, and an emotional letdown is likely. The Rays are much worse on the road than at home, and their bullpen ERA is almost two runs higher away from the Trop. The Fish have not been giving up runs, and THEIR bullpen has been solid - they just need to score and Eovladi is the cure for that. Take the DH away from the Rays and that's just one more thing that points to the wrong team being favored here.

07/02/2018 3:25 AM