DREW GORDON
If oddsmakers want to give me Wakefield at plus money, coming off his best start of the season, against a team he's dominated over his career... That's fine by me, as we ride the veteran knuckler and the Red Sox right past the Rays in tonight's rubber match!
Wakefield dominated the Jays in his last start, tossing 8 scoreless, allowing only 3 hits! Look for him to build off that effort against a Rays team he's totally dominated throughout his career, going 17-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 30 career starts against them! He's 0-1 against them this season in 2 starts, but has posted a solid 2.77 ERA over that span!
Second game of this series was a stark contrast to the first, which featured plenty of runs from this Red Sox offense. However, yesterday they went cold, as Sonnanstine and the Rays 'pen comined to allow just 1 unearned run. Look for the Red Sox offense to reawaken tonight versus Matt Garza, who's got a couple things going against him in this match up.
Garza hasn't exactly been consistent this season, following impressive starts with head scratching efforts. He's allowed 4 runs apiece in 3 of his last 4 home starts, including a loss to the Yankees in his last one at Tropicana. Note, the Rays have lost 4 of his last 5 starts, and right now, Garza finds himself plenty vulnerable against a powerhouse Boston batting order. He's also 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 3 career starts against the Red Sox
In the end, although it seems rather simplistic, the Rays win when they pitch well. Sonnanstine proved that point yesterday, but this time around, Garza can hardly be counted on, especially the way he's been pitching of late. In the end, Red Sox come out swinging, as they ride Wakefield to the W in this one!
Take Boston behind Wakefield over Tampa Bay and Garza in this MLB match up.
2♦ BOSTON