jeff benton wednesday
1-1 yesterday minus 10 dimes or MINUS $160..overall, 85-108-3 minus 470 dimes.
Wednesday's Play ...
20 DIME seleation on the <b>TAMPA BAY RAYS</b> -1½ runs (run line) over Minnesota in the finale of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. As I release this play, the Rays are rangeing from a pick-em to +110 on the run line. Note that you must list David Price (Tampa Bay) and Scott Baker (Minnesota) as the starring pitchers. If either does not go, this play is VOID!
<b>Rays (-1½ runs)</b>
A month ago in Minnesota, Twins right-hander Scott Baker outdueled Tampa Bay All-Star David Price in a 2-1 victory. Tonight they meet again, only this time at Tropicana Field. Here’s why that’s a big deal and why Price will surely get his reveange:
Price is 7-1 with a 2.12 ERA in nine home starts. Baker is 2-6 with a 6.17 ERA in 10 road starts. At home, Price has given up just 70 baserunners (49 hits, 21 walks) with 60 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings. Baker has allowed 85 baserunners (74 hits, 11 walks) with 52 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters have a .281 on-base percentage against Price in Tampa Bay; opposing hitters reach base at a .340 clip against Baker on the road.
Beyond the obvious home-road splits, Price is simply a much better pitcher. He’s 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA and he’s allowed three earened runs or fewer in 18 of 20 starts. Meanwhile, Baker has given up 37 runs in 59 2/3 innings in 10 starts since the beginning of June (5.58 ERA), and he’s got a batting average-against of more than .290 during this stretch.
The Twins have lost 11 games that Baker has started this season, and eight have been by multiple runs (with the last four by margins of 10-4, 8-1, 6-0 and 7-5). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is 14-6 when Price toes the rubber, with the last seven victories featuring final scores of 7-3, 10-1, 10-4, 5-3, 6-4, 6-3 and 4-2 – thus, all covevring the run line.
Finally, Tampa Bay just continues to roll. It has won three in a row and 10 of its last 11, including the first two games of this series 4-2 and 6-4, and going back to June 3 the Rays are 23-7 (14-2 at home). They have now surged past the Yankees and back into first place in the A.L. East, and they’re 5-1 against Minnesota this season. With Price on the mound against a shaky pitcher like Baker (he’s given up five runs or more in five of his last nine starts), I expect a comfortable multi-run victory for the home team.