Free MLB Picks for July 17th 2009: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals - July 17th, 2009 8:10PM
Free Pick: Under 8.5 Runs
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Bannister goes instead of Greinke and that’s given us a higher over/under line to work with. I feel that provides us with some value on the ‘under.’

While his numbers aren’t as impressive as Greinke’s, Bannister also had a very solid first half. He’s been particularly good at home. He’s 4-3 here with a 3.06 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Bannister went 7 2/3 innings vs. Boston in his most recent start. That game finished with a score of 1-0 and brought the ‘under’ to 3-1-3 his last seven starts. He’s allowed two earned runs or less in each of the last three of those starts, recording an outstanding 1.74 ERA during that stretch.

Shields goes for the Rays and he’s capable of dominating. Of course, the Royals know all about that. In five starts vs. KC, Shields has gone 5-0 with a stellar 2.50 ERA and 0.833 WHIP. This season’s lone start vs. the Royals saw Shields allow two runs over eight innings, recording eight K’s without issuing a free pass. That game finished with a score of 3-2. Overall, Shields has seen the ‘under’ go 12-6-1 on the season, including 5-2-1 on the road.

Including the pitcher’s duel between Shields and Meche, the ‘under’