Rays at White Sox – MLB Preview and Free Pick 8-23-08
August 23, 2008
You won’t find the Rays as underdogs very often; even more, you will almost never find the Rays as underdogs when Scott Kazmir is starting. Kazmir is a great young talent that brings some major stability to the rotation. He puts up some great numbers, this is true, but he’s also the leader of the rotation. Having him healthy and confident makes this Rays team that much better, it is one of the most important components that has gotten them this far. The Rays have won 5 of Kazmir’s last 6 starts, including going 4-1 in games against teams with a winning record.
The White Sox are another team that’s been hot as of late, but those numbers are a little bit deceiving. You have to consider that, even though they’ve won 8 of their last 10 overall, they’ve only won 1 of their last 5 against teams with a winning record. Also consider that the Rays own the series between the two this year at 5-3, and the Sox have struggled all season against teams from the AL East. Chicago has lost 10 of their last 13 against the Rays’ division, plus they are just 1-4 when Saturday’s starter, Javier Vazquez, pitches against that same division.
What this all adds up to is an easy decision to take the underdog Tampa Bay Rays today. As far as I can see, the only reason that the Chicago White Sox are favored is because they are only a half game out of first in the AL Central, so they do have some motivation, but I think the Rays’ motivation to stave off the Boston Red Sox is just as strong.
TAMPA BAY RAYS @ CHICAGO WHITE SOX
S. Kazmir (9-6, 3.21), J. Vazquez (10-10, 4.34)
Saturday’s Free Pick: Tampa Bay Rays +128 (List Kazmir)
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