Friday, September 12, 2014

Rogers Centre in Toronto

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays will send Nathan Karns (0 – 0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to take on the Toronto Blue Jays and J.A. Happ (9 – 9, 4.44 ERA).   Karns will make his 1st start of the season as Happ makes his 23rd start and 27th appearance. 

Nathan Karns will make the start after getting the call from Triple-A Durham.   He will take the place of Drew Smyly in the starting rotation after the Rays pulled Smyly due to his high workload this year.  This season at Durham, Karns was 9 – 9 with a 5.08 ERA in 27 starts.   Last season, Karns started 3 games for the Washington Nationals and had a record of 0 – 1 with a 7.50 ERA. 

Karns has never faced the Blue Jays and will have to make a quick study of the scouting report if he wants to get a handle on the Toronto lineup.   

 J.A. Happ took the loss yet again in his last outing.  Through 6 innings of work, Happ gave up 4 runs on 7 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 5.  Losing has become commonplace for Happ in recent weeks as he has had no problem surrendering runs.  He is just 2 - 4 in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Happ compiled a record of 5 -7 with a 4.56 ERA in 18 starts.  

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 65-73-8 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays are 70-71-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Toronto Blue Jays is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

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)

Toronto Blue Jays

09/05/14 LF Melky Cabrera Finger out for season
09/04/14 P Chad Jenkins Hand 15-day DL (9/5); out for season
09/03/14 3B Brett Lawrie Back 60-day DL (8/6), out for season
07/09/14 RF Cole Gillespie Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 60-day DL (4/14)

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto

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