In this week’s MLB baseball news, interleague play is the big story, and even though teams will be going up against opposition that they don’t often see, sometimes they’ll run into a pitcher than used to be in their league. This is the case on Wednesday afternoon in Milwaukee, when former Toronto hurler Shaun Marcum will lead the Brewers out at Miller Park to take on Tampa Bay, who are in the same division as the Blue Jays.
Rays Brewers Betting – Wednesday, 2:10 PM ET
David Price (7-6, 3.51) was all over the place in a 4-2 loss at home against Boston, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings, but he also had the same number of walks as strikeouts (five) while needing 106 pitches just to get through those five frames. Walks used to be a big problem for Price, but MLB betting players have watched him cut that down in 2011, so you can put this down to a poor day on the mound for Price. The 25-year-old southpaw has never faced the Brewers before, but he is a solid 4-2 in seven road starts with a 3.83 ERA, and he is 2-3 in five day starts with a 3.62 ERA.
Marcum (7-2, 2.85) faced another former AL East foe in his last start, and he lasted just an inning against Boston in a 10-4 loss at Fenway Park, allowing a pair of runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout, and he was taken deep as well. Marcum left the game not because of ineffectiveness, but because of a hip problem, so that is something to be watched. Still, Marcum threw a side session and reported no pain, and the Brewers would love to have him out there as he has faced the Rays eight times (seven starts), posting a 2-2 mark with a 3.17 ERA, and he is 4-1 in seven home starts with an ERA of 4.00. Finally, the 29-year-old righty has won both of his day starts in 2011 with a 3.46 ERA.
Those making NFL football picks may compare this contest to a pair of sharp quarterbacks going at it, but as opposed to football where quarterbacks can get you points, pitchers can make it a low-scoring game and these two should raise their game on Wednesday, when the Brewers should be slight favorites at home. The Rays doubled the Brewers 8-4 in the series opener on Monday, they are now 3-1 in four games against Milwaukee, and that was the first meeting between the two that went over the posted total. If Price has his command under control, and Marcum is healthy, this could be the best duel of the week, but the Brewers should be the smart play in your sports betting book.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.