Phillies-Rays Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Tropicana Field in an interleague contest. The Phillies will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brett Myers in this game. Myers has a 12-13 record and a 4.59 ERA this season. Meanwhile, it'll be James Shields who starts for the Rays. Righthander Shields is 15-10 with a 3.57 ERA so far this season. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Carlos Ruiz' fielder's choice in the fourth inning proved to be the winning run Wednesday, as the Phillies got past the Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series. The Phillies won the game as a -105 pick'em, while the five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5). Chase Utley belted a two-run homer in the first inning for the Phillies. Cole Hamels allowed just two runs off five hits over seven innings for the win, and Brad Lidge turned away the side in the ninth to earn the save. Akinori Iwamura went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run for the Rays. Scott Kazmir gave up three runs off six hits over six innings in the loss. Team records: Philadelphia: 92-70 SU Tampa Bay: 97-65 SU Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Tampa Bay are 2-8 After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4 After a win are 8-2 Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 8-2 Before playing Philadelphia are 8-2 After playing Philadelphia are 6-4 After a loss are 7-3 A few trends to consider: Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia Tampa Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Philadelphia Next up: Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, Saturday, October 25