Tonight, the streaking Tampa Bay Rays face the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a two-game interleague set with Rays pitcher Alex Cobb staking his four-game winning streak on the road against Lance Lynn, who has built his own three-game unbeaten run at home.
Read more about this crucial showdown below. You can also check out our MLB Free Picks here for the five best baseball games to bet on today. For bigger-picture analyses, check out our breakdowns of the pennant races in the NL Central and AL East.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
When: Wednesday, July 23, 7:15 PM ET
Line: Tampa Bay Rays (+110) at St. Louis Cardinals (-120); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays continued their torrid form away from home Tuesday night, shocking the Cardinals 7-2 with Adam Wainwright on the mound no less at Busch Stadium in the opening game of their two-game set.
[sc:MLB240banner ]In fact, the Rays have won 14 of their last 16 games on the road as they inch ever closer to the AL East leaders, Baltimore Orioles. They are now the hottest team in the majors, winning all of their last six games, as they just trail the Orioles by 7 ½ games after falling behind by as much as 12 games to then division leaders Toronto Blue Jays in the latter stages of the first half.
Key to the Rays’ resurgence has been their much-improved offense. During this six-game winning run, the Rays have outscored their rivals, 36-11. Their offensive might was in full display last night against the Cardinals when they lit up Wainwright for six runs in just 4 2/3 innings, which is the second shortest outing for the Cardinals ace this year.
The Rays will follow up their impressive performance in the opener by sending Alex Cobb (5-6, 4.08 ERA) to the mound. The 26-year-old right hander has been on fire on the road just like the Rays, winning his last four road starts and allowing a total of just nine earned runs in all of those games.
Tampa Bay has won four of their last five meetings with St. Louis.
Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals
Adam Wainwright’s bid to become the first pitcher to hit the 13-win mark this season ended in flames last night, but Lance Lynn (11-6, 3.13 ERA) will attempt to match the right-hander’s win total as the Cardinals face the Rays tonight.
Lynn has been impeccable in his last three starts for the Cards, allowing just four earned runs in those outings, including a fine performance against the Marlins July 4, where he pitched 6 2/3 of scoreless innings in a tight 3-2 win.
Lynn has been exceptional at home this season, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.84 ERA at Busch Stadium. He is the right guy for the Cardinals to send to the mound following the Cardinals’ shock loss last night with Wainwright on the mound. The Cardinals have lost back-to-back ballgames for the first time since July 6 as they fall 1 ½ games behind the Brewers for the NL Central lead.
St. Louis is 5-5 in their last 10 home games but is only 4-5 this year against AL East teams.
Writer’s Prediction
Lynn will continue his good home form and put an end to the Rays’ six-game winning streak. Create a betting account now and get into all the baseball action with a few well-placed wagers.
