Timely Hitting and Stellar Defense – Rays at Mariners

The Tampa Bay Rays (5-9 SU, 5-9 RL, 7-7 O/U) and Seattle Mariners (9-5 SU, 11-3 RL, 7-7 O/U) will both be looking to record an SU and ATS victory in the BetOnline Sportsbook when they meet at Safeco Field tonight 1t 10 PM ET.

Veteran left-hander Jarrod Washburn limited the Rays to just two runs in seven innings to record the victory as the Mariners defeated the Rays 4-2 on Tuesday night just as I predicted in the BetOnline Locker Room earlier that day.

Seattle cashed in for MLB sports betting backers as -120 home favorites while the 6 combined runs played Under the 8-run O/U total

Catcher Rob Johnson drove in two runs for the Mariners, while veteran first baseman Mike Sweeney went 3-for-3 with one RBI.

Designated hitter Pat Burrell went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Tampa Bay, as Andy Sonnanstine recorded the loss after giving up three earned runs in six innings to take the loss for the Rays.

Tonight, Tampa Bay Rays will hand the ball to right-hander Jeff Niemann (0-2, 6.35 ERA) while the Mariners counter with right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (0-1, 3.38 ERA).

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Pick.

The Rays are 12-5 in their last 17 Wednesday games.

The Rays are 36-15 in their last 51 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.

The Mariners are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.

The Mariners are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home underdog.

The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

The Rays are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.

MLB Odds

Tampa Bay Rays -1 ½ +145

Jeff Niemann –R -115

Seattle Mariners +1 ½ -165

Chris Jakubauskas –R -105

Over 9 -105

Under 9 -115

Analysis: Tampa rookie Jeff Niemann tossed a solid game the last time he took the mound, limiting the Chicago White Sox to just two earned runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss to the on Thursday while Mariners’ rookie Chris Jakubauskas will make his second major league start for the Mariners after allowing just two runs and five hits in 5.1 innings of a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.

With two young pitchers taking the hill in this one, I’m going to come back with the Mariners for the second consecutive day to win and cover the Run Line over the Rays with the stellar defense and timely hitting they’ve shown all season long.

After an 0-4 effort on Tuesday, I also expect that Seattle Ichiro Suzuki will have a hand in helping the M’s to victory tonight.

MLB Free Picks: Mariners +1½ Runs/Under 9 Total Runs