The Tampa Bay Rays (46-45 SU, -0.45 Units) enjoying keeping every close to the vest, which often plays a detriment to bettors. However, their secrecy could pay off in a big way for live bettors on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays (45-46 SU, -4.88 Units).
PITCHING MATCHUP
Of course, the Rays will make an announcement on their starting pitcher some time leading up to Friday's start of the series, but all we know as of Wednesday night is that Chris Archer isn't pitching until Sunday.
From our standpoint, that feels grim, but it's easy to tell what is going to happen here with the rest of the Tampa Bay pitchers as a result.
Kevin Cash isn't going to let whomever starts go more than six innings, or roughly twice around the batting order. From there on, this is a bullpen game for sure, and though it has really taxed the pen this year, it is giving all of the starters the ability to be more effective in shorter spurts.
The Blue Jays are set to use knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on Saturday.
Dickey's 3-10 record is certainly alarming and is a cause for concern for bettors. He's lost four straight starts as well.
That said, Dickey has had it rough of late. He has largely pitched against very good teams in recent weeks, and he hasn't been pitching here at home all that often. The knuckler isn't knuckling quite as much as it used to though, and the fact that he has already allowed 17 homers could leave live bettors in a lurch if Tampa Bay can find some power – that's a big "if," though.
ADVANCED STATS
Cash is going to very likely be incredibly careful with his starting pitcher in this one knowing just how dangerous the Toronto lineup is.
You can look at the power numbers and glance at the names up and down this batting order and get intimidated. However, it is when you really look at what the Jays have done with men on base this year that is the scariest.
With runners on this year, Toronto is batting a mind-boggling .299 as a team with 46 home runs. No other team is batting better than .286 with men on this year, and the 46 homers with men on base is tied for the most in the majors.
Not surprisingly, Toronto is third in baseball in innings with at least two runs scored this year. Live bettors should always be aware that a big inning can happen at any point in the lineup for the Jays.
TALKING BULLPENS
It's tough handicapping individuals in the Tampa Bay bullpen, knowing that five men have already made 31 appearances and three others have made at least 20 appearances this year.
However, you know what you're getting out of the Rays. They have 70 holds this season, easily the most in the majors, and they have only blown eight saves in 45 chances.
There is a big concern about arms blowing out this year, but after the All-Star break gave everyone a few days to relax, every reliever in that bullpen is going to be in play for Cash to use.
It's a good thing, too. Tampa Bay has the only bullpen in baseball with over 300 innings pitched this year.
That 3.95 bullpen ERA is a bit high, and a FIP of 4.23 is worrisome as well, but when you consider the fact that this unit is used so often early in games and is often replacing a starting pitcher who would be going against a lineup for the third time, those numbers aren't all that bad.
In high leverage situations, we'd rather have the Rays' relievers on the field than a tired starter, and that's something which Cash and Tampa Bay management prides itself on. You should, too as a live bettor.
The MLB lines for this Saturday contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! The ballgame pitting the Tampa Bay Rays versus the Toronto Blue Jays will commence Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 1:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
