TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
#966 TAMPA BAY with Rasmussen (-120) over Houston with Garcia at 6:40 PM EST
Checking in with steam off yesterday’s 5-3 home win over the Rangers and with victories in 16 of their last 19 inside the friendly confines of Tropicana Field, the Rays will send a message to the AL’s best on Monday night. Houston enters this contest off a massive 11-2 home win over Oakland and manager Dusty Baker’s crew will have issues here.
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen will hit the hump for home team. In 2022, No. 57 has made 25 starts and been tripped for only 39 earned runs and 107 hits in 126.2 innings. Rasmussen struck out 114 and walked 28 on his way to a 10-5 record with a 2.77 ERA. Inside the bubble, Drew has been at his best too. In Tampa, Rasmussen has surrendered only 14 earned runs and 40 hits in 64.0 frames. That’s good enough for a 6-1 mark with a powerful 1.97 ERA.
Countering for the visitors will be righty Luis Garcia. So far this year, No. 77 had his number called 25 times and been cracked for 63 earned runs and 122 hits in 140.1 innings of work. Garcia fanned 143 and walked 42 on his way to a 12-8 mark and a soft 4.04 ERA. Luis’ numbers at night haven’t been that great either. Under the stars, Garcia has been punished for 42 earned runs and 73 hits in 89.1 frames. That shakes down to a 7-6 record with a 4.23 ERA.
There are several solid team trends that support this diamond wager. Tampa Bay has won eight of its last nine against AL West foes, eight of its last 10 facing a foe that allowed two runs or less last, seven of its last 10 in the first game of a series, and 13 of its last 18 coming off a win. On the other side of the field, Houston has slipped in 23 of its last 32 as a guest in this series.
It’s never easy beating the ‘Stros. However, the Rays have the better arm on the bump, and they’ll be looking to make a statement here. Take Tampa Bay with Rasmussen. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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