The Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Tropicana Field in Game 2 of the World Series.A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Philadelphia.
The Phillies will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brett Myers in this game. Myers had a 12-13 record and a 4.59 ERA this season.
Meanwhile, it'll be James Shields who starts for the Rays. Righthander Shields was 15-10 with a 3.57 ERA this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Phillies, while the game's total is sitting at 8½.
Carlos Ruiz' fielder's choice in the fourth inning provided the winning run on Wednesday as the Phillies got past the Rays 3-2 in Game 1.
The Phillies won the game as a -105 pick'em, while the five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5).
Chase Utley belted a two-run homer in the first inning for the Phillies. Cole Hamels allowed just two runs off five hits over seven innings for the win, and Brad Lidge turned away the side in the ninth to earn the save.
Akinori Iwamura went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run for the Rays. Scott Kazmir gave up three runs off six hits over six innings in the loss.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 92-70 SU
Tampa Bay: 97-65 SU
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 2-8
After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Philadelphia are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, Saturday, October 25
