Our strongest play on the strong Saturday card involves an UNDERRATED HURLER going against a CLEAR INJURY RISK. We believe we have found some damaging numbers on a pitcher that is destined for the DL. We step in early and take full advantage. Join us for our MLB Power Play, one of three Best Bets on Saturday.
920 Seattle at Tampa Bay
Ground balls will be on the docket for Saturday's afternoon game between the Mariners and Rays. Roenis Elias has a 47.8 percent ground ball rate and Alex Cobb has a 52.5 percent ground ball rate, which is actually the lowest of his four-year career. The Rays have really struggled against lefties this season with an uncharacteristically low .308 OBP. Elias has been a pleasant surprise for the Mariners as a deceptive lefty with a couple of different arm angles. In Elias's first start against a team this season, he has a 2.91 ERA over 55.2 innings of work.
Alex Cobb should start to get his command back now as he is making his fourth start since returning from the DL. For Cobb, an early season injury made it tough because he was still in the process of building up his arm strength when he got hurt. That means that he basically had to go through what he normally would have accomplished in April over his last three starts.
Cobb has posted an 18/5 K/BB rate since returning from the DL and the Rays snapped their lengthy losing streak with a win on Friday night that should loosen things up a tiny bit and keep the Rays a bit sharper in support of Cobb defensively. A matchup with Elias and his unconventional style may not help their offense much.
With two ground ball guys and two tough customers on the mound, runs should be at a premium on Saturday at The Trop.
PLAY: SEA/TB UNDER