MLB Playoff Wagering - White Sox vs. Rays Game 2

In their first playoff game in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays moved one step closer to the World Series by knocking off the Chicago White Sox 6-4 in the first game of their best-of-five divisional series. Rookie of the Year candidate 3B Evan Longoria was masterful in his first postseason appearance, knocking two homers as a part of a day in which he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs. James Shields ran into trouble, giving up a three-run homer to Dewayne Wise in the 2nd, but that was all the White Sox could muster off the righty. Shields went 6 1/3rd innings, giving up three runs and striking out four for his first career playoff win. Javier Vazquez was all over the place, allowing six runs in just 4.1 innings. The victory should come as no surprise, as the Rays were -174 favorites on the baseball betting line. They game went ‘over’ the ‘total’ of 8.5 in the 5th inning.

Manager Ozzie Guillen will attempt to level the series by sending LHP Mark Buehrle to the bump. The White Sox ace was instrumental in getting Chicago to the playoffs. In his L/6 starts, Buerhle went 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA, but in his last start against the Rays, he gave up five runs over 6 2/3rd innings. In Buehrle’s 34 starts, the Palehose went 18-16, earning $112 for Chicago bettors. His core numbers aren’t staggering, but they’re effective. Buehrle went 15-12 with a 3.79 ERA and a WHIP of 1.34. Though his 140 strikeouts on the season are by no means staggering, the lefty only averaged walking 1.53 batters per start. In his four career playoff starts, the Sox are a perfect 4-0. In those games, Buehrle has been phenomenal, averaging over seven innings a start with a 3.00 ERA.

After picking up the two-run victory on Thursday, the Rays will send arguably the best pitcher in its franchise’s history to the mound when Joe Maddon gives the ball to LHP Scott Kazmir. Kazmir pitched well in ’08, going 12-8 with a 3.49 ERA. For a team that netted well over $2,500 for their MLB bettors on the season, Kazmir was one of the biggest winners of the rotation reeling in $905 overall. The biggest problem he had was pitching deep into ball games, as he averaged less than 5.2 innings per start on the season. Kazmir’s K/9 was 9.80, right on par with his career average. Opposing hitters only hit .220 against the lefty. If he’ll have trouble on Friday, it will be with the long ball. Kazmir allowed 23 home runs in his 27 starts, which is bad news against a lineup full of White Sox that can mash with any team in baseball. The 24-year old is 3-1 in five career starts against the Sox with a 3.34 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Maddon might be working with a short bench on Friday night, as 1B Carlos Pena left Game 1 with an eye injury. His status for Game 2 is unknown.

BetUS Sportsbook currently has the Rays as -150 favorites, with the ‘total’ chiming in at a flat 8.5. We have all of the playoff baseball betting sides, ‘totals’, run-lines, and propositions your bankroll can handle, so get out of the dugout and get your MLB bets down at BetUS right now!