Going Right Back to the Rays

Why go against what's been working so well?

The Rays are the hottest team in baseball right now, and after last night's win, they have now won eight straight games. I'm not interested in trying to outsmart a team that's this locked in.

Tampa Bay has scored 22 runs over the first two games of this series against the A's, and now it gets another favorable pitching matchup.

Jack Perkins is scheduled to take the mound for Oakland, and his numbers aren't exactly inspiring confidence. Perkins owns an ERA over 7.00 and has allowed 11 runs over his last eight innings. That's a major problem when you're facing a Rays lineup that has been putting runs on the board at an incredible pace.

The Rays will counter with Drew Rasmussen, and this is where I really like the matchup.

Rasmussen hasn't allowed a single run over his last three appearances and has surrendered just two runs combined over his last four starts. When you combine that kind of pitching with an offense that just scored 22 runs in two games, it's hard for me to find a reason to jump off the Rays' bandwagon.

Right now, everything is lining up for Tampa Bay.

The Rays are hitting. They're winning. They're getting excellent pitching. And they're facing an Oakland pitcher who has been struggling badly.

I'm not going to overthink this one.

The play: Rays.

Eight straight wins, 22 runs in two games and Rasmussen pitching like a guy who doesn't want to give up a run? That's enough for me.

I'll take the Rays here with full confidence.

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