The Tampa Bay Rays visit the west coast for a three game series with the Oakland Athletics. This will be the 4th meeting of the season between the Rays and Athletics, they had a three game series back in May with Oakland winning 2 of the 3 games. The Athletics have won 5 of the last 6 meetings overall versus the Rays plus they have also won 13 of the last 19 meetings in Oakland.
Head to Head Trends
Rays are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
Rays are 6-13 in the last 19 meetings in Oakland.
Oakland Athletics (-145)
The Oakland Athletics are 1st in the American League West just 1 game up on the LA Angeles. The Athletics have the best offense in all of baseball averaging 4.95 runs per game and they also have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball allowing just 3.46 runs per game so it’s no surprise they have the best record in baseball right now. Starting for Oakland today is Jeff Samardzija who is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA since joining the Athletics back in June. Before that Samardzija was with the Cubs and was the victim of some of the worst run support I’ve in a long time. He went 7 plus innings giving up zero runs four times with the Cubs and came away with the no decision in all four games.
Oakland Athletics Trends
Athletics are 21-7 in their last 28 home games.
Athletics are 4-1 in Samardzijas last 5 starts.
Tampa Bay Rays (+135)
The Tampa Bays Rays are 4th in the American League East 8.5 games back of the 1st place Baltimore Orioles. The Rays started out the season good enough but then went into a stretch where they won just once in 15 games and I think that put them in last place in all of baseball at the time. The Rays have picked up their play since and have actually been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past month winning 23 of they last 32 games although they have lost 3 of their last 4 games so maybe there run is over and they’re back to the crappy Rays. On the hill for the Rays is Alex Cobb who is 7-6 with a 3,54 ERA in 16 starts this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Trends
Rays are 5-1 in Cobbs last 6 starts.
Rays are 23-9 in their last 32 overall.
Conclusion
I like the Oakland Athletics in this one even though they have lost 3 of their last 4 games and have looked a little shaky but so have the Rays so I still think -145 for the best team in baseball at home is a pretty solid bet.
Free Pick: Oakland Athletics -145
