MLB Matchup Wednesday – Rays aim to dash Yankees’ dream

September 2, 2008

The New York Yankees are in grave danger of missing the postseason for the first time in 14 seasons, but they will try to stay in the hunt on Wednesday night, when they visit Tropicana Field to meet the Tampa Bay Rays, who have defied all odds to lead the American League East and become one of the top-rated teams in MLB futures betting.

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays – 7:10 PM ET
Carl Pavano (2-0, 3.27) has made a solid return to the New York rotation after missing most of 2007 and 2008 with an elbow injury which lead to the dreaded Tommy John surgery, winning his second consecutive start by leading the Yankees to a 2-1 win at home over Toronto. Pavano scattered a run on three hits over six innings, using only 72 pitches to almost shut down the Blue Jays completely. After winning 18 games in Florida in 2004, the 32-year-old righthander has started only 21 games in three seasons with the Yankees, and one has to wonder if he will be in pinstripes next season after his spotty injury history. Pavano has a 3-2 record in six career meetings with the Rays, posting an ERA of 3.48.
Having Edwin Jackson (11-8, 3.81) as their fourth or fifth starter just shows the depth of the Tampa Bay organization, and he showed why in a 3-2 win at home over Toronto, allowing a run on six hits over seven innings. Jackson has gotten hot at the right time, winning six of his last seven starts, and he was a beast in August with a 4-1 mark and a 2.27 ERA. Even with only a 1-1 record in four starts against the Yankees this season, Jackson has a very respectable ERA of 2.59 while holding the “Bronx Bombers” to an average of .222.
Heading into Tuesday’s series opener, the Yankees had taken seven of their 12 meetings with the Rays this season, including the last two at venerable Yankee Stadium. However, the Rays have a majors-leading 52 wins at home, and there may not be a team their fans enjoy seeing lose more than the Yankees, so expect the crowd to be all over Pavano and the rest of the New York club. Bet on the Tampa Bay Rays to knock the Yankees closer to an autumn holiday with a win on Wednesday.
For more props and odds, visit BetOnline.com. BetOnline.com is a top rated online sportsbook providing reliable sports betting to millions of online betting customers. BetOnline.com also offers MLB football betting, live MLB betting lines, props and futures.

Written by Neil Jordan · Filed Under Baseball 

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