TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH
#966 TAMPA BAY with Civale (-126) over Boston with Bello at 4:10 PM EST
In a bad mood off that series road loss to the Guardians, the Devil Rays will return home and take care of business. Tampa Bay still owns a 2.5-game deficit in the AL East standings and manager Kevin Cash and his crew need this dub in order to stay in the hunt.
Grabbing the pill for the home team will be former Cleveland righty Aaron Civale. With five starts in the books for the Rays, No. 34 was touched for 10 earned runs and 32 hits in 25.1 innings. Aaron fanned 25 and issued two free passes on his way to a 2-1 tally with a powerful 3.55 ERA. Equally impressive, with 11 night starts in the bank, Civale has surrendered only 16 earned runs and 50 hits in 63.0 frames. After the math, that adds up to a 5-1 record with an outstanding 2.29 ERA.
Young right-hander Brayan Bello will hit the hill for the visitors. In the month of August, No. 66 made six starts for the BoSox and was bumped for 13 earned runs and 42 hits in 35.0 innings of work. Brayan struck out 24 and walked 10 on his way to a 3-2 tally with a 3.34 ERA. Thankfully, in his last three outings against the Rays, Bello was bombed for 12 earned runs and 19 hits in 14.0 frames. That adds up to an 0-2 mark with a woeful 7.71 ERA.
Several quality trends line up on this solid wager. Tampa Bay has won 47 of its last 77 when playing under the lights, 63 of its last 109 facing a right-handed starter, and 45 of its last 68 when playing in the comforts of home. On the other side of the park, Boston has dropped 30 of its last 46 coming off three or more road wars.
The Devil Rays are alive in their pursuit for the AL East crown, and they need as many home wins as they can get to help them accomplish that mission. Take Tampa Bay with Civale. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 11-1 ATS NCAA NEARLY PERFECT BEST BET
Stryker swept the board yesterday cashing easily with Oregon State in college football and with Toronto (run-line) in Major League Baseball and he returns with one more power wager that will bring home the cash. A fast-developing 11-1 ATS technical situation backs this investment along with a reliable 18-9 ATS trend. Grab Tom’s NCAA Nearly Perfect Best Bet for $30.