The Tampa Bay Rays will end their 10-game road trip Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The Rays (11-4, 8-1 away) have been unfazed by the road games, sweeping both the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox (5-10, 3-5 home) ended any of the Rays’ hopes for going undefeated during the road stretch by beating them 4-1 on Tuesday night.
The MLB betting odds list the White Sox at -115 and the Rays at -105 with an over/under of 8.
Tampa Bay will be starting right handed James Shields, who will be making his fourth start of the season. Shields (1-0, 4.50 ERA) earned his first decision of the season on April 17 by picking up a win against the Red Sox. He is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his career against the White Sox.
Jake Peavy (0-0, 6.00 ERA) will be starting for the White Sox. The right hander, who won 19 games for San Diego in 2007, has yet to earn a decision in his first three starts this year. After failing to get past the fifth inning in his first two starts, he lasted 7 1/3 against Cleveland last Saturday. In his only start against Tampa Bay, he gave up two hits in seven innings in a 9-0 win.
The Chicago White Sox are still looking for their first series win. After putting a halt to the Rays’ seven-game win streak on Tuesday, Tampa Bay bounced back Wednesday night to pound Chicago 12-0. Chicago is currently in last place in the AL Central and has lost five of their last six games. They are third-to-last place in the AL in team OBP and are batting .198 at home.
Conversely, the Tampa Bay Rays have a lot to be excited about. They are only a half game behind the New York Yankees, and that mark is even more impressive considering the lengthy road trip the Rays have been on. Since April 12, Tampa Bay has played 9 games and won 8 of them, with each coming on the road. In that same time frame, New York has played in 8 games and won 7, with all but two games being played at home.
