Sunday, September 7, 2014

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg

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In the American League East, it is the Baltimore Orioles that reign supreme as the best. The Orioles are getting closer to clinching the division each day and will look to gain more ground when they travel to Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles will send right-hander Bud Norris (12-8) to the mound to take on Jeremy Hellickson (1-3).

The Orioles have been led all season offensively by Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. Even without the injured Manny Machado for the rest of the season, the team has enough all-around talent to go deep into the playoffs. One of those talented players is Norris, who has a 3.83 ERA, which is nearly a half point better than his career number. The former Houston Astros pitcher has enjoyed his time with the team, going 16-11 compared to just 34-46 when he was in Houston. In his career against current Tampa Bay Rays, he has allowed 39 hits in 131 at-bats with 5 total home runs allowed.

The 27-year-old Hellickson will be making just his 10^th start of the season and is coming off his worst performance of the season, lasting just 3.1 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be his second start against the Orioles this season and he will hope to fare better than the first. On Aug. 28, he made it just 4.1 innings with 3 earned runs allowed on 8 hits and 2 walks.

Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends

Baltimore Orioles are 62-74-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Baltimore Orioles is 0.6

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 63-71-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0

Injuries to Watch

Baltimore Orioles

08/31/14 1B Steve Pearce Abdominal out indefinitely
08/22/14 3B Manny Machado Knee 60-day DL (8/12); out for season
06/17/14 C Matt Wieters Elbow 60-day DL (5/11), out for season
06/03/14 P Johan Santana Shoulder 60-day DL (6/2), out for season
04/03/14 P Edgmer Escalo Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 LF Francisco Peguero Wrist 15-day DL (3/21)

Tampa Bay Rays

09/04/14 CF Desmond Jennings Knee out indefinitely
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 60-day DL (6/22), out for season
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)

Guy's Pick: Take Baltimore

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