Tampa Bay at Arizona

The D-Rays pen let another get away last night. One of the reasons Shields has had success for Tampa Bay is because he pitches deep into games and limits the exposure of the Rays middle relief. Shields has completed seven innings in 10 of his last 11 starts and has pitched an average of just shy of eight innings in those 11 starts. It is the difference between him and Kazmir, both quality starters. But the fact he pitches deep into games is why he is 6-1 because the D-Rays can swing the bats. Micah Owings has pitched better on the road than at home, where the D-Backs are just 2-4 in games he has appeared in. The odds-makers are speaking loud here as the D-Rays are an ever so slight favorite on the road vs. a decent team, and we agree.