Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Game 1 Betting Preview

This Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Game 1 betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com.  This is the first game of the divisional series.

Sportsbook.com Odds: Tampa Bay -128, Texas +118, Total: 7

Ace southpaws take the mound Wednesday afternoon in game one of the Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays divisional series. The Rangers’ Cliff Lee and Rays’Davie Price have been stellar in their postseason careers. Lee is 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA and Price carries a 1.59 ERA in five playoff relief appearances. Tampa Bay has won the past four meetings. Here is a complete breakdown of the pitching matchup:

CLIFF LEE

12-9, 3.18 ERA in 2010

Lee’s team is 15-13 (-5.1 Units) when Lee starts in 2010. The Under covered in 15 of these 28 starts.

6 GS, 3-2, 3.86 ERA, .225 Opp. BA at Tropicana Field in career

13 GS, 6-5, 2.87 ERA, .228 Opp. BA career vs. TB

5 GS, 4-0, 1.56 ERA, 0.82 WHIP in postseason career

DAVID PRICE

19-6, 2.72 ERA in 2010

Tampa Bay is 23-8 (+10.7 Units) when Price starts in 2010. The Under covered in 17 of these 31 starts (13 Over, 1 Push).

9-2, 1.96 ERA, .206 Opp. BA at Tropicana Field in 2010

4 GS, 0-2, 7.45 ERA, 1.66 WHIP career vs. TEX

5 G, 1-0, 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP in postseason career

Both pitchers have had great seasons and are clutch post-season performers. The Rays have to be worried about Price’s 7.45 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in four career starts against the Rangers top-notch lineup.

This bettingtrend supports Tampa Bay bettors for Wednesday’s match-up:

Play On - Home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (TAMPA BAY) - average offensive team (4.7 to 5.2 runs/game) against a good starter (ERA<=4.20) (AL), with a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start. (53-12 over the last 5 seasons.) (81.5%, +38.3 units. Rating = 5*).

While this trend sides with bettors that are backing the Under:

TAMPA BAY is 13-1 UNDER (+11.9 Units) after 3 straight games where the bullpen gave up no runs this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 2.9, OPPONENT 2.7 - (Rating = 4*).

For more betting trends and to wager on the MLB Playoffs, including the Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 divisional series, head over to Sportsbook.com now.  Carrie Stroup, Senior Reporter for Gambling911.com reporting.