Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners Betting Odds & Picks: April 21, 2009

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners o8.5 (100)
Tue Apr 21, ‘09 10:10p - MLB Odds
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AL Manager of the Year Joe Maddon will trot RHP Andy Sonnanstine to the bump on Tuesday night. After an incredibly productive 2008 for Rays bettors (20-12, +$922), Sonny has cooled off considerably to kick off '09. Tampa Bay is 0-2 and -$214 in his two starts this season. His last start against the Yankees wasnt awful, but it wasn't stellar, either. Sonnanstine conceded two runs in five innings, but got a no-decision in the Rays 4-3 loss at the Trop. The righty has excelled against the Mariners in his career, as he is 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in three career outings. However, Tampa Bay lost both of his starts last season against the Ms (0-2, -$233).

LHP Jarrod Washburn will be opposing the righty. He ranks in the Top-20 in money earned for baseball bettors so far in this young season (+$248). After several sub-par seasons, Washburn finally appears to have gotten into a groove to start 2009, as he has only allowed two runs on nine hits this season. Much like his counterpart, Washburn has experienced plenty of success against his Tuesday night foe. He is 11-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.25 WHIP against the Rays in his career; he has more wins against Tampa Bay than against any other team. The Ms are the best runline team in baseball through 13 games, as they are 10-3 and +$753 against the MLB betting odds this season.

Both teams had flashes of brilliance both offensively and with their pitching staffs this season, but this number feels deflated. Seattle may have the No. 1 staff in the bigs (3.01 ERA), but it hasnt run into a club that can be as lethal offensively as Tampa Bay. Both 1B Carlos Pena and 3B Evan Longoria rank in the Top-5 in home runs this season. The Rays bullpen has been wildly inconsistent this season, and with the fact that Sonnanstine hasnt lasted into the sixth inning yet this season, the pen which has worked 9.1 innings over its L/2 games will be tested. Expect to see this one sneak past the total.