Tampa Bay –1½ +1.19 over Baltimore PINNACLE<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o> The Rays can definitely be excused for yesterday’s 4-1 loss to the Twins the day after clinching their first ever playoff spot. It’ll be back to business here, as they still have some unfinished business to attend to. The Rays are 1½-games up on the Red Sox and it’s of the utmost importance to finish this thing off. David Price will make his first major league start for the Rays after two relief appearances and if you think this is a move to give the other starters a rest, you’re wrong. Price could be the piece of the puzzle that takes the Rays the distance. He’s one of the highest regarded prospects in the business after being selected #1 overall in 2007. This year in the minors he posted a 12-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and he also looked very sharp in his two relief appearances at this level. He faced a total of 22 hitters in his two relief appearances against the Yanks and Twins and didn’t walk a single man. Of the 22 hitters just four reached base for a BAA of .182. He’s also a lefty and the Orioles are stacked with left-handed hitters, which make them very vulnerable against southpaws. In fact, Baltimore has just 15 wins all year in 45 games against left-handed starters. Brian Bass has less appeal then laying points with the St. Louis Rams. He’s allowed 52 runs in 78 innings and it’s rare to see him last into the fifth inning. In fact, his average innings per start is 4.1 frames and over his last three starts he’s pitched just 13 innings to go along with a 6.23 ERA. The Rays will be amped up again to give their young prospect some run support and they should have very little trouble doing so. It should also be mentioned that the Orioles played the final game at Yankee Stadium last night and were part of the pre-game and post-game ceremonies. Said Oriole skipper Dave Trembley, ”It was kind of like the seventh game of the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Mardi Gras. It was everything rolled into one,” It’s almost like the season ended yesterday for the Orioles and now they’re asked to come home and play some more baseball after a night like last night against this Rays team? Man, this one looks pretty sweet. Play: Tampa Bay –1½ +1.19 (Risking 3 units). <o
></o>
