A battle of surprising first-place teams highlights Thursday's MLB action as the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox visit AL East-leading Tampa Bay, with the Rays as -135 money line betting favorites (over/under: 8.5) on WagerWeb.com.
One thing to be very aware of as a bettor on this game is the state of the Rays' bullpen, which took a potentially major hit on Wednesday night. Closer Troy Percival, who has been phenomenal, could be headed to the disabled list after falling down on the mound and leaving the game as a result of tightness in his left hamstring.
As of this writing, the Rays had not announced any results of his MRI, but just watching him exit on Wednesday, you know he's probably not pitching in this series or for a while.
Percival's hamstring actually began bothering him during the Rays' game at Oakland on May 20. Yet manager Joe Maddon said Percival felt fine prior to Wednesday's game.
"Actually, he came in (Wednesday) saying he was feeling very good," Maddon said, "maybe the best day he has had in regard to how he was feeling the last time it occurred."
Percival has played an integral role in the Rays' success both on the field, where he has 14 saves, and in the clubhouse, where he has added a veteran presence.
"Obviously we're all concerned [about Percival]," first baseman Carlos Pena said. "Everybody in here has been to the training room to see how he's doing."Dan Wheeler finished off the Rangers on Wednesday after Percival left and likely would get some save opportunities along with Al Reyes. Wheeler had 11 saves for Houston last year while Reyes, who is now a set-up man, had 26 for the Rays in '07.
As for tonight's game, lefty John Danks (3-4, 3.00 ERA) starts for Chicago, and he dominated the Rays earlier this season: he allowed three hits and struck out eight during seven innings of a 6-0 win at Tampa Bay on April 20.Danks is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA lifetime against Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay counters with Edwin Jackson (3-3, 3.47), who allowed six runs over 4 1-3 innings in losing to Danks on that April day. Jackson is 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA in two career starts vs. Chicago.
Chicago won 2 of 3 in that earlier series from the Rays and has won 6 of their last 7 games in St. Petersburg. But this is a new Ray’s club, one that is 21-9 at home.
Betting trends: White Sox are 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. . White Sox are 4-1 in Danks' last 5 starts as an underdog. . White Sox are 1-4 in Danks' last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. . Rays are 11-1 in their last 12 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. . Rays are 1-4 in Jackson's last 5 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. . Under is 8-2 in White Sox's last 10 during Game 1 of a series. . Under is 8-0 in Rays last 8 home games vs. a left-handed starter. . Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
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