Saturday, August 9, 2014, 4:05 PM on SUN, WGN

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Tampa Bay Rays - Odorizzi, J (7-9) vs. Chicago Cubs - Jackson, E (6-11)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, Jake Odorizzi (7 – 9, 4.09 ERA) takes the hill for the Tampa Bay Rays as they square off against Edwin Jackson (6 – 11, 5.66 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs.  Odorizzi makes his 23rd start as Jackson makes his 24th. 

Jake Odorizzi struggled mightily in his last outing and he got the loss as a result.  In just 3 innings of work, Odorizzi was torched for 5 runs and 8 hits as he walked 3 and struck out just 1.  It was quite a letdown for a pitcher that had won 3 straight and 5 of his previous 7 starts.  But Odorizzi is having a solid season for a young pitcher just getting the hang of being a member of the starting rotation.  Last season, Odorizzi was 0 – 1 with a save and an ERA of 3.94 in 4 starts and 3 relief appearances.  

In 2013, Odorizzi didn’t face the Cubs and he has only seen 2 of the Chicago hitters before.  Chris Coghlan is 2 for 3 with an RBI against Odorizzi and Justin Ruggiano is 1 for 2 with a homer and an RBI. 

Edwin Jackson got the win in his last start after holding the opposition to 2 runs and 7 hits (including a home run) in 6 innings of work.  Jackson didn’t issue any free passes while he fanned 6.  The victory was the 1st for Jackson since late June and he is just 2 - 5 in his last 10 outings.  In 2013, Jackson went 8 – 18 with a 4.98 ERA in 31 starts. 

Last season, Jackson didn’t face the Rays but he has seen the lineup before.  Tampa Bay is batting .255 against Jackson with 26 hits, 2 homers and 10 RBIs in 102 at-bats.      

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 55-54-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 59-47-6 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.4

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 15-day DL (6/22), out for season
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
06/01/14 RF Wil Myers Wrist 60-day DL (5/31)
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)

Chicago Cubs

08/07/14 1B Anthony Rizzo Rest questioanble
07/31/14 P Felix Doubront Calf 15-day DL (7/31)
07/29/14 P Neil Ramirez Tricep 15-day DL (7/26)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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