MLB Betting: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Odds & Picks: July 1st 2009

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays u8.5 (-115) - Wed July 1st 2009 1:05p
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The Under is now 25-10 in the last 35 head-to-head meetings between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays after the Rays took the first two games of this series by identical 4-1 scores, and we see no reason why the scoring should pick up this afternoon.

Now Tampa Bay starter James Shields has traditionally pitched much better at home, but he has now matured to the point where his home/away splits are much less pronounced this year. He has a very respectable 3.72 ERA on the road, and the last time he pitched away from home, he allowed just one run and three hits in seven innings vs. the New York Mets. Shields has also posted Quality Starts in each of his last two starts in Toronto.

Young southpaw Ricky Romero has been very solid for the Jays, going 5-3 with a 3.20 ERA, and he has been at his best here at home, where he is 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA and an excellent 1.16 WHIP. Romero has reeled off five consecutive Quality Starts, and his last outing was his best yet, as he tossed seven scoreless innings while allowing only two hits vs. the Philadelphia Phillies with seven strikeouts vs. just one walk.

Add in the fact that the Rays have never faced him before, and this Under becomes even more desirable.

MLB Free Pick: Rays, Blue Jays Under 8.5 (-115)