Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Chris Archer (4-4, 2.47 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (23-19) go up against Scott Kazmir (2-2, 3.08 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (14-29) in the second of a four-game series at Tropicana Field. The Rays won the last game 3-0 and Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 22 and will air on CSN-CA and SunSports.
In his last start, Archer pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking one in an 11-3 victory over the Twins. David DeJesus (.324, 13 Rs, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Rays, Kazmir is 1-2 with a 4.11 ERA, 10 strikeouts and nine walks. Stephen Vogt (.305, 20 Rs, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Tampa Bay, a -134 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Oakland. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. The Rays are 10-9 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +248. The Rays lead the league in WHIP at 1.13.
On the other side, 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 this year, averaging 7.8 strikeouts per game.
So far this season, the Rays are 1-0 against the Athletics. This game will feature Kazmir (LHP) on the mound against the Rays, who have a 4-6 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Archer will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 13-19 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 26% (6-17) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 53% (8-7) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Athletics have a 6-11 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 2-18. The Rays have a 3-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Both Tampa Bay and Oakland are tied at 12th in home runs, hitting 38 this season.
Ranking 10th, Tampa Bay is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.10 per game. Oakland ranks in the top five at third with 9.05.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.696). Oakland ranks in the top half at 15th with an OPS of .710.
The Athletics are 2-18 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rays are 9-12 when they allow at least one homer.
