MLB odds: Rays vs. A's

If the baseball season ended today (it doesn't), the Tampa Bay Rays

So is this club for real? At home, it appears yes, as the Rays are 16-8 at Tropicana Field.

However, the team is 9-11 away from home, dropping two of three in St. Louis over the weekend, and begins a three-game series in Oakland on Monday night – with the Rays slight -118 money line betting favorites (over/under: 7.5) on WagerWeb.com for the opener.

Two good young pitchers face off tonight, although both have been finding wins hard to come by lately.

Tampa Bay's James Shields (4-3, 3.05 ERA) looks to avoid a third straight losing decision on the road. The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings, but took the loss as Tampa Bay fell 2-1 to the visiting New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Shields are 1-2 with a 6.10 ERA away from home, but 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA against Oakland. In his lone career start at McAfee Coliseum, he yielded just one run and four hits while racking up nine strikeouts to beat Oakland on April 27 of the 2007 season.

Oakland starts Joe Blanton (2-6, 3.69). The right-hander gave up a pair of solo home runs and two other hits in seven innings of Oakland's 2-0 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his last four starts.

Blanton is 2-3 with a 6.06 ERA in seven starts against Tampa Bay but 0-5 with a 3.66 ERA this year in his seven starts at the Coliseum.

Tampa Bay went 6-4 against the A's in 2007, winning two of three at Oakland last April.

Historically, Oakland has been the toughest opposing city to play in for the Rays, evidenced by their 10-35 franchise record at McAfee Coliseum. In 15 visits to Oakland, they have won only two series.Additionally, the Rays' overall record against the A's is 31-63 (.330), the second-worst mark against an opponent, ahead of only their 26-55 (.321) mark against the Indians.

Rays-A's betting trends: Rays are 8-2 in Shields' last 10 starts as a favorite. ... Rays are 1-10 in Shields' last 11 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. ... Athletics are 12-3 in their last 15 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. ... Athletics are 1-6 in Blanton's last 7 starts during game 1 of a series. ... Under is 13-3 in Rays' last 16 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. ... Under is 13-3 in Blanton's last 16 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5. ... Under is 6-1-2 in the last 9 meetings in Oakland.

HALLADAY PUSHED BACK: Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay made a relief appearance in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Phillies. That's fairly notable since it was his first since July 2, 2001.

He went 2 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and no runs, striking out two. However, his scheduled start Tuesday now will be pushed all the way back to Saturday.

"Just after it started raining, I told them that I'd be ready if they wanted me," said Halladay. "I just figured it was a numbers thing. It was different. It wasn't like a scramble to get ready. There were only two guys in the 'pen when I got there. I don't want to do it again, but it was fun."

The Jays are playing some of their best baseball, winning six of their past seven after taking two of three from the Phillies over the weekend.

"I like the way we're playing right now," Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun said. "All that counts at this level is that you win - no excuses. We've been a little banged up, but our starting pitchMLB odds: Rays vs. A's

If the baseball season ended today (it doesn't), the Tampa Bay Rays would be your American League wild card team.

So is this club for real? At home, it appears yes, as the Rays are 16-8 at Tropicana Field.

However, the team is 9-11 away from home, dropping two of three in St. Louis over the weekend, and begins a three-game series in Oakland on Monday night – with the Rays slight -118 money line betting favorites (over/under: 7.5) on WagerWeb.com for the opener.

Two good young pitchers face off tonight, although both have been finding wins hard to come by lately.

Tampa Bay's James Shields (4-3, 3.05 ERA) looks to avoid a third straight losing decision on the road. The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings, but took the loss as Tampa Bay fell 2-1 to the visiting New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Shields are 1-2 with a 6.10 ERA away from home, but 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA against Oakland. In his lone career start at McAfee Coliseum, he yielded just one run and four hits while racking up nine strikeouts to beat Oakland on April 27 of the 2007 season.

Oakland starts Joe Blanton (2-6, 3.69). The right-hander gave up a pair of solo home runs and two other hits in seven innings of Oakland's 2-0 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his last four starts.

Blanton is 2-3 with a 6.06 ERA in seven starts against Tampa Bay but 0-5 with a 3.66 ERA this year in his seven starts at the Coliseum.

Tampa Bay went 6-4 against the A's in 2007, winning two of three at Oakland last April.

Historically, Oakland has been the toughest opposing city to play in for the Rays, evidenced by their 10-35 franchise record at McAfee Coliseum. In 15 visits to Oakland, they have won only two series.

Additionally, the Rays' overall record against the A's is 31-63 (.330), the second-worst mark against an opponent, ahead of only their 26-55 (.321) mark against the Indians.

Rays-A's betting trends: Rays are 8-2 in Shields' last 10 starts as a favorite. ... Rays are 1-10 in Shields' last 11 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. ... Athletics are 12-3 in their last 15 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. ... Athletics are 1-6 in Blanton's last 7 starts during game 1 of a series. ... Under is 13-3 in Rays' last 16 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. ... Under is 13-3 in Blanton's last 16 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5. ... Under is 6-1-2 in the last 9 meetings in Oakland.

HALLADAY PUSHED BACK: Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay made a relief appearance in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Phillies. That's fairly notable since it was his first since July 2, 2001.

He went 2 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and no runs, striking out two. However, his scheduled start Tuesday now will be pushed all the way back to Saturday.

"Just after it started raining, I told them that I'd be ready if they wanted me," said Halladay. "I just figured it was a numbers thing. It was different. It wasn't like a scramble to get ready. There were only two guys in the 'pen when I got there. I don't want to do it again, but it was fun."

The Jays are playing some of their best baseball, winning six of their past seven after taking two of three from the Phillies over the weekend.

"I like the way we're playing right now," Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun said. "All that counts at this level is that you win - no excuses. We've been a little banged up, but our starting pitching will keep us in any game."

In addition, shortstop David Eckstein, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 8 with a strained right hip flexor, is expected back Thursday, when the Blue Jays host the Angels.

Bet on the Angels-Jays series at WagerWeb.com ing will keep us in any game."

In addition, shortstop David Eckstein, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 8 with a strained right hip flexor, is expected back Thursday, when the Blue Jays host the Angels.

Bet on the Angels-Jays series at WagerWeb.com would be your American League wild card team.