posted October 9, 2008 at 13:57 in MLB Articles
MLB Playoff Betting - Tampa Bay Rays ALCS Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (100-66 SU, 77-87-2 O/U, 88-78 RL), didn’t have a single .300 hitter on their feisty team this season, with catcher Dioner Navarro batting a team-high, .295. Tampa also had just one player, first baseman Carlos Pena, hit 30 home runs or drive in more than 100 runs.
The Rays also didn’t have a single pitcher reach 15 wins this season, yet, here they are, on the brink of reaching the first World Series in franchise history.
All Tampa Bay has done all season long is defy the odds while emphatically beating back all challengers, including the Boston Red Sox, to win the AL East this season
Despite their lack of spectacular individual statistics, the Rays have succeeded where it counts most for BetUS MLB Sportsbook bettors – in the Money department.
Tampa Bay led all of baseball this season in Money wins, raking in $2,796, including $2,701 at home, going an out-of-this world, 57-24 in that department at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay also went an impressive 85-77 in Run Line wagers and have the genuine look of a team that is not going to be denied of reaching its first World Series no matter who they’re facing.
Here is a look at the Rays’ key team trends and statistics followed by my analysis on their chances of beating the Boston Red Sox and reaching the first World Series in franchise history.
Key Trends
The Rays are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. American League East.
The Rays are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
The Rays are 20-6 in their last 26 Friday games.
The Rays are 55-17 in their last 72 home games.
The Rays are 40-13 in their last 53 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Recent Trends
The Rays are 20-6 in their last 26 Friday games.
The Rays are 55-17 in their last 72 home games.
The Over is 19-7 in Tampa’s last 26 home games.
Top Three/Bottom Three
The Rays have the second worst hits stat in the league at 8.9 per game.
The Rays are second in the league in free passes at 3.9 per game.
The Rays are second worst in K's per game with 7.6.
The Rays have the second stingiest defense in the league at 4.1 runs per game.
The Rays are second best in the league in giving up hits, allowing 8.3 per game.
The Rays are third in the league in striking out opponents with 7.1 per game.
Team Statistics
Offense
Runs/G 4.78 (14th)
BA .260 (21st)
OPS .762 (9th)
HR 180 (10th)
SB 141 (1st)
Defense
ERA 3.78 (3rd)
WHIP 1.28 (2nd)
Ks, 1143 (10th)
Quality Starts 82 (13th)
Errors 92 (10th)
Analysis: Tampa Bay has been the most mentally tough team in all of baseball this season by far if you ask me – it’s not even close! Despite the many predictions that they would fall apart at some point during their magical season, Tampa Bay has simply gone out and put their collective feet on the throats of their opponents, refusing to let up even when the Red Sox made a hard charge for the AL East title.
While Tampa Bay didn’t have a pitcher win 15 games this season , the fact of the matter is that this team has a slew of underrated pitchers that have gotten the job done all season long.
The Rays ranked third in team ERA and second in walks and hits per innings pitched, (WHIP) and have baseball’s fourth-best bullpen, (3.45 ERA). Tampa Bay had five starters win at least 12 games with four starters tossing at least 183.1 innings.
Two starters, (James Shields and Andy Sonnanstine) led the team to at least 20 wins, with the Rays recording 19 wins under former staff ace Scott Kazmir.
In 18 games against the Red Sox this season, the Rays more than held their own, going 10-8 against the defending World Series champs and routing them in their final regular season matchup, winning 10-3 at the ‘Trop’ on Sept. 17.
Maybe it’s me BetUS MLB Sportsbook bettors, but the Rays seem to have the stars in alignment to reach their first World Series in franchise history – and clearly have the attitude and fearlessness to back it up, if not necessarily the postseason experience.
Tampa Bay’s home-field advantage will be absolutely huge against the Red Sox and don’t discount the fact that the Rays will be playing loose and free with no pressure at all and nothing to lose.
While Boston has the ‘big name’ players and are the defending World Series champs, I say bet against the Rays at your own peril bettors, this team is undeniably for real!
