Saturday, August 23, 2014

Progressive Field in Cleveland

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, Jeremy Hellickson (1 - 2, 2.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays as they take on Mark Buehrle (11 - 8, 3.38 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays. It will be the 7^th start for Hellickson and the 26^th for Buehrle.

Jeremy Hellickson took the loss in his last outing after allowing 3 runs and 4 hits in 5 innings of work. He walked 2 and struck out 5. Hellickson has given the Rays some decent starts even though lack of run support has prevented him from posting a better record. Last season, Hellickson started 31 games and made a relief appearance as he compiled a 12 - 10 record and a 5.17 ERA.

In 2013, Hellickson went 2 - 1 with a 3.28 ERA in 6 starts against the Blue Jays. In his career, he has held Toronto to a .238 average with 49 hits, 5 homers and 18 RBIs in 206 at-bats.

Mark Buehrle pitched to a 2^nd straight no-decision in his last outing. In that start, Buehrle surrendered 3 runs on 7 hits in 5.1 innings as he struck out 3 without allowing a single walk. Buehrle is still in the midst of a slide from the heights that he set in the beginning of the season. He is just 1 - 4 in his last 10 starts. Last season, Buehrle was 12 - 10 with an ERA of 4.15 in 33 starts.

In 2013, Buehrle was 0 - 2 with a 5.76 ERA in 4 starts against the Rays. This season, Buehrle is 2 - 0 in 3 starts against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 57-62-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0.1

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays are 62-61-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Toronto Blue Jays is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

08/21/14 1B James Loney Rest questionable
08/21/14 LF Matt Joyce Rest questionable
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)

Toronto Blue Jays

08/07/14 3B Brett Lawrie Back 15-day DL (8/6)
07/31/14 1B Dan Johnson Hamstring 15-day DL (7/31)
07/09/14 RF Cole Gillespie Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
05/04/14 P Brandon Morrow Hand 60-day DL (5/3)
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 60-day DL (4/14)

Josh's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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