Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals – July 22, 2014 – Betting Preview and Prediction

Adam Wainwright attempts to become the first pitcher to record 13 wins this season, when the St. Louis Cardinals welcome the Tampa Bay Rays for a two-game interleague set. Will the Cy Young candidate throw another gem, or will the Rays’ Jake Odorizzi return the favor to Wainwright after losing in their first meeting on June 10?

Read more about this game below. You can also check out our five-game list of the best baseball games to bet on today here.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis

When: Tuesday, July 22, 8:15 PM ET

Line: Tampa Bay Rays (+150) at St. Louis Cardinals (-170); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays

A month ago, the Tampa Bay Rays were toiling in the bottom of the American League East division with a 30-46 record and 12 games behind of then division leader, Toronto Blue Jays. But on the strength of a 17-7 record since, the Rays improved to 47-53, reducing the gap between them and current leader Baltimore Orioles to just 7.5 games.

[sc:MLB240banner ]The Rays found most of their success on the road, where they went 9-1 in their last 10 games away from the Trop. That stretch includes winning streaks of six and three games, the latter coming via a series sweep of the Minnesota Twins following the All-Star break. Prior to that series, the Rays ended their first half campaign with two consecutive wins over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Prompting the recent surge of Tampa Bay is a visibly enhanced offense. Throughout their five-game winning run, the Rays have outscored their opponents, 29-9. James Loney had a sparkling performance during the series against the Twins, where he went 7-for-12 (.583). Evan Longoria, meanwhile, drove in four runs and had a 5-for-13 run at the plate.

At St. Louis, the Rays will have on the mound starter Jake Odorizzi (5-8, 4.01 ERA), who pitched well against the Cards last June 10, albeit in a 1-0 loss. In that game, Odorizzi allowed just one earned run on three hits in 7.1 innings of duty.

With the way the Rays are hitting the ball lately, though, Odorizzi could have the run support his teammates failed to supply him in that meeting. Tampa Bay gave him that luxury in his last start, lighting up the Jays 10-3, to help Odorizzi pick up his fifth win of the season.

Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals

In the midst of an airtight race in the National League Central, the Cardinals could retain their spot at the top of the division with a win tonight against the visiting Rays. Tampa Bay has been on fire at the plate as of late, and St. Louis will again be counting on their All-Star ace Adam Wainwright to stymie their interleague opponent.

The last time Wainwright (12-4, 1.83 ERA) faced the Rays, he scattered seven hits in seven scoreless innings to outduel the Rays’ Odorizzi. That victory improved Wainwright’s excellent record to 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA in his last six starts against AL teams.

The Cards also rarely lose when Wainwright is on the mound at home. They have won in his last two starts at Busch Stadium, including a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last July 7,, when Wainwright tossed yet another seven shutout innings before being relieved.

On offense, Jhonny Peralta get another crack at the Rays, against whom he has batted well. He is 13-for-31 the last nine games he’s faced Tampa Bay.

St. Louis has won the first game of their last four series.  They are also 3-1 in their last four games against AL East teams.

Writer’s Prediction

Wainwright leads the Cards to a 3-1 win over the Rays. Create a betting account now and pick which among the Rays and the Cards you see will begin the series with a victory.
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