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“1 UNIT” NATIONAL-TV BASEBALL UNDERDOG (Red Sox +120 at Rays in a 7:10 eastern start broadcast nationally on ESPN2---------Buchholz versus Davis). Even though Tampa Bay is off to the best 44-game start (32-12) that baseball has seen dating all the way back to the 2001 campaign, there is a reason why they are NOT a prohibitive favorite this evening. First of all Tampa is sending their #5 starter Wade Davis to the mound and in a pair of career starts against Boston his ERA (10.57) is through the roof. That means a pair of sizzling hot Red Sox hitters are licking their collective chops including Kevin Youkilis who batting average this month (.397) is obscene. Also having a great month of May (.351 batting average, 7 HR) is David Ortiz who is showing the Red Sox that he is not completely washed up. On the mound for Boston this evening is young Clay Buchholz whose career ERA against Tampa is right at the TWO mark. In addition Buchholz who has won 4 of the last 5 decisions has been sensational (1.86 ERA) so far when operating on the ROAD. Speaking of the highway Boston is coming off a pair of sensational victories in Philadelphia where they held a powerful lineup to just THREE combined runs. The Red Sox are brimming with confidence after roughing up Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay yesterday. I am aware that Tampa went a stunning 4-0 earlier this campaign in a series at Boston, but the offense in that four-game set batted only .204 at the plate. My research indicates that long term Boston has won 66-PERCENT of the time (52-27) when “revenging” 4 consecutive losses against an opponent
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