By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: Tampa Bay Rays +101 vs Houston Astros -109 Total 7.5
The Rays send Chris Archer to the mound in the final contest of this three game series. Tampa Bay lost the first two games, (5–4) and (6–2.) Archer has certainly pitched better than his record as Archer/team is (8–19,) with him posting an ERA of 4.11, WHIP of 1.284 this season.
When away from home Archer/team is 4–9 and his ERA is higher at 5.95, WHIP of 1.493. Archer has a solid ERA of 1.31, WHIP of 0.701 vs. Houston as he/team is 4–2. He faced the Astros at home earlier this season allowing 3 earned runs in 7.7 innings in a 4–3 loss.
Doug Fister gets the start for Houston, Fister/team is 16–09 this season with an ERA of 3.59, WHIP of 1.274. He home Fister/team is 6–6 and his ERA is 4.18, WHIP of 1.324. Fister/team is 2–4 vs. the Rays with an ERA of 3.72, WHIP of 1.190. He hasn’t faced the Rays this season.
In Review
· Yesterday’s opinion on the over in the Reds/Diamondbacks game over the total of 9.5 runs was a winner. Opinions, (whether they win or lose,) are not included in my MLB record which is 33–17–01 here at Every Edge
Archer vs. Fister
· Archer is 04–17 and -14.80-units against the money line when the M/L is + or –125 this season.
· Fister is on a streak of 15–05 in day game and +11.20-units.
· Archer is 08–15 and -10.70-units against the money line after giving up 1 or less earned runs in his last start, the past two seasons. (Provigil)
· Fister is 20–08 and +12.0-units against the money line when working on 5 or 6 days rest.
· Archer/team is 01–11 in his last 12 starts vs. an opponent with a winning record.
Winning Angles
· The Astros are 25–09 this season when playing a team with a winning percentage of 38% to 46%.
· The Rays are 09–21 and -11.60-units against the money line in road games vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season.
· Houston is 28–09 when playing vs. a team with a losing record.
· The Rays’ road bullpen ERA is 4.28 and they’ve allowed 28 home runs.