Back the Rays at Home with Their Ace

The Rays are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and becoming the first team in baseball to do so. By all accounts, they shouldn't have much trouble getting the job done tonight.

Tampa Bay sends Drew Rasmussen to the mound, and the right-hander has been outstanding all season with 14 wins and a 2.88 ERA. Rasmussen has held nine of his last 10 opponents to two runs or fewer and has surrendered just four total runs over his last three starts combined.

The Rays have also been playing some good baseball, winning four of their last six games while their offense has really started to click. Tampa has scored at least six runs in five of its last six games, and that is exactly the kind of production you want backing a pitcher like Rasmussen.

Houston will counter with Miguel Ullola, and this could be a very short night for the Astros starter. Ullola is expected to work only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen.

The Astros haven't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard lately, either. Houston has lost three of its last five games and has scored three runs or fewer in six of its nine games this month.

Everything points in Tampa Bay's direction tonight. You have the better starting pitcher, the hotter offense and a Rays team with plenty of motivation as it looks to lock up a playoff spot.

Give me Rasmussen and the Rays at home.

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