Sport: MLBPick Selection: #924 TAMPA BAY with Shields (-150)
#924 TAMPA BAY with Shields (-150) over Chicago at 7:10 PM EST
Put me down on Tampa Bay with right-hander James Shields in this contest.
Certainly, off three consecutive road starts at Arizona, Colorado and Florida, James will be elated to be back at home. In his last two performances against the Diamondbacks and Rockies, Shields was tagged for 11 earned runs and 16 hits in 11 frames. Fortunately, the youngster from Newhall, California has been lights at home. Shields has made eight starts in Tampa and owns a perfect 3-0 record. He has allowed only 22 earned runs and 48 hits in 59.2 innings of work. That adds up to a noteworthy 3.32 ERA and a WHIP of 1.01!
White Sox starter Jon Garland hasn't pitched that poorly this season. The right-hander from Valencia, California has allowed only 38 earned runs and 87 hits in 97.1 innings. That adds up to a respectable 3.51 ERA. Unfortunately, the Pale Hose just don't give Garland any support at the plate. In his 14 starts, Chicago has averaged just 3.2 runs per game! That's not going to cut the mustard here!
The home versus road dichotomy is too good to pass up. Shields is solid in his own backyard and he'll get his revenge. Take Tampa Bay with Shields. Thank you and best of luck, Tom Stryker.
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