Saturday, August 15, 2015

Globe Life Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Chris Archer (10-8) vs. Colby Lewis (12-5)

The Tampa Bay Rays head to Globe Life Park on Saturday to take on the Texas Rangers. The Rays send Chris Archer to the mound to face Colby Lewis of the Rangers. The opening line for this matchup has Tampa Bay at -138 and Texas at +128. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Rays, with a 63-51 run line record, cover the spread 55% of the time. They also have a 50-55 over/under record. The Rangers have a 52-55 over/under record and a 67-46 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 59% of the time.

The Rays show up with a 58-56 record, including 28-27 on the road. Starting pitcher Chris Archer holds a 10-8 record with an earned run average of 2.62 and a WHIP of 1.00. He's pitched 154.2 innings thus far while surrendering 117 hits over that time and when he starts, the Rays are 14-10. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 10-11. The team is averaging 3.9 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.71 and they've given up 327 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .230 against the Rays bullpen while walking 142 times and striking out 352 times. Tampa Bay is averaging 8.33 strikeouts per game while getting 7.91 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 8th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.58.

Tampa Bay is batting .244 as a team, which is good for 25th in the league and hitting .246 away from home. Ranked at 20th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rays sit at .308 and they hold a .392 team slugging percentage. Evan Longoria leads the team in hits with 114 while the team ranks 26th in baseball with 8.12 hits per game.

Texas is 23-29 at home while holding a 56-57 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 4.61, Colby Lewis will come into this game holding a 12-5 record and a 1.19 WHIP. He's pitched 146.1 innings thus far while surrendering 147 hits over that time in which the Rangers are 12-11. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 14-8. The team is averaging 6 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 4.62 and they have given up 364 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .256 against the Rangers bullpen while walking 153 times and striking out 319 times. Texas is averaging 6.65 strikeouts per game while getting 9.25 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 27th in the league in team earned run average at 4.52.

They are batting .255 as a team, which is good for 10th in the league and hitting .264 at home. Ranked at 13th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rangers sit at .318 and they hold a .406 team slugging percentage. Prince Fielder leads the team in hits with 141 while the team ranks 10th in baseball with 8.74 hits a game.

The Rays have committed 63 errors and have combined for 1,000 assists and 3,058 put outs leading to a .985 team fielding percentage. The Rangers have committed 86 errors on the season with 1148 assists and 3,026 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .980 on the year.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Rays are 50-55 against the over/under so far this season

The Tampa Bay Rays are 63-51 against the run line so far this season

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

The Texas Rangers are 52-55 against the over/under so far this season

The Texas Rangers are 67-46 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

08/13/15 CF Desmond Jennings Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26); expected to be activated Friday vs. Texas Rangers
08/01/15 RF Steven Souza Hand Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
05/10/15 P Drew Smyly Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/6)
05/09/15 P Alex Cobb Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
04/29/15 P Kirby Yates Pectoral Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/18/15 P Jeff Beliveau Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/22), out for season

Texas Rangers

08/13/15 1B Kyle Blanks Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/17)
08/13/15 RF Josh Hamilton Knee "?" Friday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
08/11/15 P Cole Hamels Groin "?" next start
08/02/15 P Tanner Scheppers Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
08/01/15 C Robinson Chirinos Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
07/18/15 C Carlos Corporan Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
05/29/15 P Nick Tepesch Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7)
05/29/15 P Derek Holland Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/11)
04/06/15 P Lisalverto Bonilla Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/31)
04/06/15 P Yu Darvish Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6), out for season
04/04/15 RF Antoan Richardson Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/2)
04/04/15 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/24), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Rangers

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