MLB Predictions: Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays: July 23rd 2009

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Free Pick: Chicago White Sox -115 - July 23rd 2009
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It will be a battle of lefthanders as All-Star Mark Buerhle and the White Sox take on Scott Kazmir and the Devil Rays.

Buerhle has been Chicago’s most consistent starter just about every year in his stellar career in the windy city and 2009 has been no exception. Buerhle has put up solid numbers this season posting a 10-3 record with an ERA of 3.52. He’s is 1-0 this season against the Rays and at home he’s been about as good posting a 6-1 record with a 2.81 ERA in 11 starts. Buerhle is also 15-6  in his last 21 starts at U.S. Cellular Field. He’s coming off 4-3 win over the Orioles on Saturday night a home outing in which he allowed just one run and no walks in  7 1-3 innings. The big lefthander is 5-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 11 starts against Tampa Bay including a victory in April at the “Trop”.
 
Kazmir’s season has been slowed by injuries and the numbers reflect it. Kazmir is just 4-5 with an ERA of 6.62 and is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA since his last victory May 9 at Boston. He’s also been bitten by the gopher ball allowing 11 homeruns in just 68 innings. His body of the work against the White Sox this season consists of one game in which he allowed six-runs in four innings. Kazmir who was counted on to be the Devil Rays ace has been anything but this season.
 
Chicago begins play one game behind Detroit in AL Central after winning eight of its last 11 home games. Tampa Bay, which has fallen 5.5 games off the pace in the AL East, are just 8-17 in their last 25 games vs. the Chi Sox including a 2-5 record this season.

Today figures to be another low-scoring affair on the south side with Buerhle and the White Sox getting the nod.