TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
#970 BOSTON with Rodriguez (-110) over Tampa Bay with Rasmussen at 7:10 PM EST
Off a pair of ugly losses to the Devil Rays by the final of 11-10 and the Indians by the score of 11-5, the BoSox will get back on track with a huge win on Tuesday night. Tampa Bay is just 3-3 over its last six games and they’ll have trouble in this rematch.
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will grab the pearl for the Red Sox. Since August 4th, No. 57 has made six starts for the home team and allowed 10 earned runs and 29 hits in 33.0 innings of work. Rodriguez struck out 35 and walked 11 on his way to a 4-1 record and a strong 2.73 ERA. Overall, with 26 starts in the bank this season, Eduardo’s numbers are respectable. With 132.2 frames completed, Rodriguez has been tapped for 72 earned runs and 142 hits. That shakes down to an 11-7 record with a 4.88 ERA.
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen will take the mound for the Rays. Over his last four starts, No. 57 has thrown very well allowing only three earned runs and nine hits in 17.0 innings. Rasmussen has struck out 13 and walked four on his way to an 0-0 mark and a proud 1.59 ERA. So far, in 2021, Drew has appeared in 16 games (six starts) and been slapped for 21 earned runs and 44 hits in 56.0 frames. That adds up to a 1-1 record and a 3.38 ERA.
A handful of trends support this diamond wager. Boston has quietly won four of its last six, nine of its last 13 at home, 55 of its last 89 when playing at night, 43 of its last 60 with Rodriguez holding the pearl, and 17 of its last 24 when battling a right-handed starter.
The Red Sox are still 9.0-games back in the AL East and they need to get the job done in their own backyard. Take Boston with Rodriguez. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 41-20 MLB NATIONAL LEAGUE ELITE BEST BET
Off Monday’s one-run loss on the Reds, Stryker scoots back over to the diamond armed with one wager that will scoop up the cash. Solid pitching supports this gem along with one highly profitable 41-61 team trend. Grab Tom’s MLB National League Elite Best Bet for $30.