Thursday, August 28, 2014

Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, Jeremy Hellickson (1 – 2, 2.61 ERA) takes his turn for the Tampa Bay Rays as they take on the Bud Norris (11 – 8, 3.91 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles.  It will be the 8th start for Hellickson and the 23rd for Norris.

Jeremy Hellickson was solid in his last outing but he failed to get the decision.  In 6.1 innings of work, Hellickson allowed just 2 runs on 3 hits.  He walked a batter and struck out a season-high 8.  Hellickson has given the Rays some decent innings even though he missed most of the season after undergoing elbow surgery in January.  In 2013, Hellickson posted a record of 12 – 10 with a 5.17 ERA in 31 starts and a relief appearance.

Last season, Hellickson went 3 – 1 with a 5.74 ERA in 4 starts and a relief appearance against the Orioles.  Baltimore is batting .251 against Hellickson with 56 hits, 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 223 at-bats.

Bud Norris saw his 3 game win streak end after he took the loss in his last start.  Norris was limited to just 2 innings due to rain but he gave up 4 runs and 4 hits in that stretch.  He walked a batter and struck out 4.  The loss was just the third for Norris in recent weeks and he is 6 – 3 in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Norris went 10 – 12 with a 4.18 ERA in 30 starts and 2 relief appearances for the Orioles and the Houston Astros.     

Last season, Norris was 1 – 1 with a 1.93 ERA in a start and a relief appearance against the Rays.  He pitched to a no-decision earlier this season in his only start against Tampa Bay.     

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 59-65-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0.1

Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends

Baltimore Orioles are 56-70-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Baltimore Orioles is 0.5

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

07/18/14 C Ryan Hanigan Oblique 15-day DL (7/9)
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 60-day DL (6/22), out for season
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
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)

Baltimore Orioles

08/22/14 3B Manny Machado Knee 15-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)

Tony's Pick: Take Baltimore

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