In the first of a four-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (22-19) and the Oakland Athletics (22-19) at Tropicana Field, Alex Colome (2-1, 6.05 ERA) and Jesse Chavez (1-3, 2.63 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 21 and will air on CSN-CA and SunSports.
In his last start, Colome pitched 3.1 innings, allowing three runs and walking one in a 6-4 loss to the Twins. David DeJesus (.316, 12 Rs, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his career against the Rays, Chavez is 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and five strikeouts.
Tampa Bay is a small -109 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Rays have a 10-8 record and overall money line at +382. The Rays lead the league in WHIP at 1.14.
Across the field, the Athletics have a subpar record of 6-9 when they are the underdog and are -1,952 overall with the money line. The Oakland pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 8.0 strikeouts per game.
This game will feature Chavez (RHP) on the mound against the Rays, who have an 18-12 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Colome will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 13-19 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays are 1-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Athletics are 0-6 in such matchups.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Athletics are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have an 8-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 12-7. The Rays have a 17-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 162 this season. Oakland ranks fifth with 185 runs.
Tampa Bay and Oakland both rank in the top half of the league in walks. Tampa Bay sits at 14th with 125 this season and Oakland ranks 11th with 130.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 14-11. When the Athletics hit at least one homer, they have a 10-14 record.
