Emotions will be running high on Thursday afternoon when David Price takes the mound for the first time at Tropicana Field in the bottom of an inning. He will be pitching for the Tigers against his former team, the Rays, for the first time. Tampa Bay drafted and developed the lefty and traded him to Detroit prior to the deadline this year. He will look to secure the three-game sweep for Detroit as they try to keep pace in the AL Central with the red-hot Royals. We like the Tigers in this contest.
Welcome back to Florida, David Price
Price will pitch against his former club for the first time on Thursday and of course it will happen at his former home, Tropicana Field. He burst onto the scene as a reliever in the 2008 season, helping Tampa Bay to the World Series after an epic ALCS against Boston. He won the AL Cy Young in 2012 and posted a record of 82-47 with an ERA of 3.18 in 175 appearances for the Rays during his career. The Rays honored him earlier in this series with a video presentation.
Rays would love to get a win against former mate
Tampa Bay would love for nothing more than to secure a win against their former ace on Thursday. It will be difficult though, as the Rays have not played well of late, losing four straight and going 4-6 in their last 10 overall. Tampa Bay is eight games out of the second AL Wild Card spot and that looks to be their only shot at a playoff appearance this year. They sit 12.5 games out of first in the AL East.
Tampa Bay and Detroit lock horns on Thursday afternoon in David Price’s return to Florida. We will place our wager at TopBet.eu, where we will lay the line of -1.5 (+140) with 10 percent of our bankroll in favor of Price and the Tigers as they sweep this series and stay with the Royals in the Central.
Chris Wassel
AA, AAS
CURRENTLY
Sports Writer and Journalist
RESIDES IN
Rahway, NJ
EDUCATION
Union County College, Montclair State University
EXPERTISE
Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more
Summary
Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups.
Works on injuries for a variety of sites. Edits articles from NASCAR to football and beyond.
Occasionally runs sites like mynhltraderumor.com and Full Press Hockey/Bets.
Does a podcast for Full Press Hockey and a few other sports too.
Experience
Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines.
His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too.
Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza.
Since 2013, Chris does focus on things like fitness, fishing, and sports. One would be surprised that Chris runs, hikes, and rock climbs. There are even those occasional mini-triathlons. One truly can pack a lot in a small package. Chris can lift things over his body weight with ease. Also, if there is a NASCAR rain prop, Chris can tell you if there will be a Monday race.
Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a wide range of places from Amazon to USA Today to a variety of rumors and fantasy sports sites.
Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings that Chris sports in his house.
Education
Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams.
Quote from Chris Wassel
"Shut up and play.”