Kazmir, Rays Look to Take Emphatic 2-0 Lead On ChiSox, Buehrle

After calling Thursday’s matchup between the Chicago White Sox (89-75 SU, 86-76 RL, 77-81-4 O/U) and Tampa Bay Rays (98-65 SU, 86-77 RL, 77-84-2 O/U) almost dead-on, I am back with what figures to be another winning wager in the BetUS Sportsbook tonight.

The Rays won their first postseason game ever in dramatic fashion as third baseman Evan Longoria blasted two home runs in his first two at-bats to put the ChiSox in a hole they would not be able to climb out of.

"He's always got this way about him. He's not going to be overwhelmed by the situation. And that speaks beyond his skill level," Rays’ manager Joe Maddon said. "Obviously, his skills are very good ... and he likes these moments in a non-cocky way. He's just very confident."

The Rays will turn to left-hander Scott Kazmir, (12-8, 3.49), who went 8-2 with a 2.90 ERA in 14 starts at Tropicana Field, to hold on to their home-field advantage.

"He's extremely talented," Maddon said. "He's one of the best young pitchers in both leagues. ... I really have a lot of confidence in the start (Friday)."

The White Sox will counter with left-hander Mark Buehrle, (15-12, 3.79 ERA) to keep the young Rays in check.

Buehrle has struggled on the road this year , posting an unimpressive 4-9 record with a 5.05 ERA in 17 starts.

"I know the crowd's going to be into it," Buehrle told the team's official Web site. "You just have to try to focus that and get it out of your head."

Buehrle posted an 0-1 record in three starts against s the Rays this season. The series moves to Chicago for Game 3 on Sunday and Game 4, if necessary, on Monday.

"We want to win both of them now. We have such an advantage at home," Longoria said.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my analysis and MLB Wagering Free Picks:

The White Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 playoff games.

The White Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 playoff road games.

The Rays are 4-0 in Kazmir’s last 4 Friday starts.

The Rays are 14-2 in Kazmir’s last 16 starts during game 2 of a series.

The Under is 5-0 in Buehrle’s last 5 starts on field turf.

The Over is 6-0 in Kazmir’s last 6 starts overall.

The Rays are 4-1 in Kazmir’s last 5 starts vs. White Sox.

The Under is 21-6 in the last 27 meetings in Tampa Bay.

The Under is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings.

MLB Odds

Chicago White Sox +1½ -160

Mark Buehrle –L +135

Tampa Bay Rays -1½ +140

Scott Kazmir –L -150

Over 8½ -110

Under 8½ -110

Analysis: Simply put, I like the Tampa Bay Rays to win this contest and take an emphatic 2-0 lead. Despite Scott Kazmir’s shaky closing stretch of the regular season, I like him to keep Chicago’s big boppers in check while leading Tampa Bay to victory.

MLB Free Picks: Rays 5 White Sox 3