MLB Handicapping: Rays vs Braves

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The fans at Turner Field will be treated to a interleague game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves when they take their seats on Thursday. The Rays will trot ace James Shields out to the mound in this one. Righthander Shields has a 5-5 record and a 4.55 ERA this season. Shields's opponent in this one will be Tim Hudson. The Braves righthander has a 2.43 ERA to go along with a 6-2 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Rays, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Tommy Hanson tossed seven scoreless innings as the Braves defeated the Rays 6-2 on Wednesday. The Braves won that game as -135 favorites, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks. Troy Glaus drove in a pair of runs to lead the Braves at the plate, while Hanson improved to 7-3 with the victory. Wade Davis gave up seven hits and three runs over five innings in the Rays loss. Team records: Tampa Bay: 41-24 SU Atlanta: 38-28 SU Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 9-1 Before playing Florida are 8-2 After playing Atlanta are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4 Atlanta most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Kansas City are 1-2 After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: Tampa Bay is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games on the road Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta Atlanta is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home Atlanta is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay Next up: Tampa Bay at Florida, Friday, June 18 Atlanta home to Kansas City, Friday, June 18 Rest assured for those bettors who only purchase Stevie Vincent when he has Level 5 plays, you are doing yourself a gross disservice. Flat out his Level 2, 3 and 4 plays always have and always will win at a much higher rate than Game of the Month or Game of the Year plays elsewhere. He is part of OffshoreInsiders.com