Tampa Bay has been red-hot since before the All-Star break and they all of a sudden find themselves just eight games out of first in the AL East. That does not sound like much, but it definitely is. They have won five straight and seven of their last 10 games played. This is just a two-game set for the Rays and the Cardinals. They split their previous two-game series last month. We are going to back the visiting Rays in game one tonight.
The Rays are slowly, but surely climbing the standings in the American League East. They have pulled to within eight games of the top spot following an incredible surge. We know that Tampa Bay will be facing the Cardinals ace on Tuesday night, but we still like their chances in this game. Kevin Kiermaier is hitting .432 in his last 11 games played with 11 RBIs and five extra-base hits.
St. Louis will ask team ace Adam Wainwright to hand the Cardinals a win and the lead in the NL Central. Despite a loss on Sunday to the Dodgers, the Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 games played to pull within a half-game of first behind the Brewers. Wainwright is 12-4 this season with an ERA under two. He made headlines during the All-Star Game by reportedly ‘grooving fastballs’ to Derek Jeter.
On Tuesday night we will place our bet on the Cardinals and Rays over at Sportsbook.ag, where the Cardinals are home chalk. Despite this, and the fact that Wainwright is on the mound, we will bet 10 percent of our bankroll on Tampa Bay and the OVER seven total runs scored at -110 as they stay hot. This should be a very fun game between Jake Odorizzi and Adam Wainwright.
