10-12-10

**Mr. IWS** · 10-12-2010, 01:37 PM

Re: 10-12-10

Guaranteed Pick: Scott Spreitzer

Game: Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays Oct 12 2010 8:05PM
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays LOCK OF ALL LOCKS.

I'm playing the Tampa Bay Rays in game five on Tuesday night. Things didn't look to promising for the Rays following their two losses at home, but they have taken back home field advantage and the momentum in this one. And I don't believe they'll let it slip away. Before last Wednesday's game-one, Cliff Lee had really been struggling in his last several starts away from Arlington. Tampa had several chances to get to the lefty early in the game, but the "clutch" bats were silent in the first couple of innings, once with the bases loaded. But the Rays' "woke up" in Texas and I believe they'll get to Lee in this one. They beat Lee in all three regular season meetings this season.
I doubt he'll get much run support on Tuesday. Not only are the Rangers facing David Price, but they averaged just 4.2 rpg in road games against lefties this season. Price got beat last week, but he was magnficent to close the season, allowing just eight earned runs and 41 base runners in his last seven appearances, including six starts, covering 44 innings. That's a smoking hot, 1.64 ERA & 0.93 WHIP. The Rays had won each of his last six starts of the regular season, and they went 12-4 when Price toed the home rubber this season, where he owned a 1.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and .206 BAA!

Texas has had a problem against decent home teams this season. The Rangers are just 5-15 on the road (including playoffs) against teams that outscore their "guests" by just 0.5 rpg or more in 2010. Meanwhile, the Rays have feasted against some of the best. They finished the regular season on an 18-4 run against AL starting pitchers with an ERA of 3.20 or lower. The momentum is on the home team's side...more importantly, their bats are once again a factor. We'll back Tampa Bay to wrap up the series on Tuesday night. Thanks! GL! Scott.

10-12-10

10-12-10

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