Phillies Power Too Much for Rays Pitching
Some text from our 2008 World Series Predictions
The reason that I don’t like the Rays here is due to the starting pitching match-up… they love to give up the longball, Shields (24 in 215 IP), Garza (19 in 185) and Kazmir (23 in 152).
Vegas odds have game one as a push, due to Hamels dominance in the playoffs. I think Philly can take work a split in the first two games and take over home field advantage from there.
Last night the Phillies added another four home runs to their World Series team stat line. Even pitcher Joe Blanton got in on the fun, hitting a solo shot off of Edwin Jackson in the fifth inning.
The Phillies now have nine home runs in this series. Next up for the Rays is Scott Kazmir, who as mentioned above, gave up 23 HR in only 152 IP during the regular season.
The Phillies will counter with the Hamels-Madson-Lidge combo.
Online sportsbooks such as BetUS have the Phillies as a -180 favorite heading into tonight’s game. This is the largest line of the 2008 World Series.
While the mopupduty.com staff has been behind the Rays since 2006, a 3 – 1 hole will be too much for this team to overcome.