The Phillies will be statring 24-year old left-hander Cole Hamels against Rays ace Scott Kazmir tonight at Tropicana Field.  Hamels has been dominant throughout the playoffs and the key to the Phillies winning the NCLS, but it was Kazmir who gave Tampa Bay home-field advantage in this matchup.  Kazmir was the winning pitcher in the All-Star game after working a scoreless 15th inning.  Phillies closer Brad Lidge then gave up the winning run giving the American League home field advantage.  Lidge has converted all 46 of his save opportunities – five in the postseason…the All-Star game was his only blown save this year.

Both teams have stacked line-ups and were among the leaders in “Runs Scored” this year.  In addition, both teams are young, have speed and great starting rotations.

There are two Rays players to watch in this Series…Evan Longoria and BJ Upton.  Longoria had 4 homers and 8 RBIs during the ALCS and Upton has hit 7 homers and driven in 15 runs in 11 playoff games.  Only 4 Rays starters have faced Hamels (3-0, 1.23 ERA in postseason) in their carrer and Longoria and Upton aren’t on that list.

Kazmir (1-0, 4.02 in postseason) hasn’t been as dominant as Hamels in the postseason, but a strong Game 5 performance prompted Skipper Maddon to start him in Game 1 of the World Series instead of Shields.  Left-handed batters are 3-for-19 (.158) against Kazmir in the playoffs, but lefty-hitting stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley plan to change that percentage.

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Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

Tim Wakefield (10-11, 4.13 ERA) will get the start tonight against some very hot bats.  Wakefield has made 16 playoff appearances and most of them haven’t gone well. He earned 2 complete game victories in the NLCS when he was with the Pirates, but has gone 3-6 with a 7.54 ERA in the postseason with Boston.  Wakefield is 0-2 with a 9.22 ERA in three playoff starts since the 2004 World Series.  In 2008 he got the start against the Rays 3 times and went 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA.  In addition, he gave up 3 home runs in his last start against Tampa Bay in a 10-3 loss.

Andy Sonnanstine (1-0, 3.18 ERA) will get the start in Game 4 for the Rays.  Sonnanstine allowed 2 runs and 3 hits in 5 2/3 innings to clinch the series over the White Sox and seems to be beaming with confidence.  In the 13 innings he pitched against the Red Sox this year he limited their staff to only 2 unearned runs.  

He had two starts against Boston, both of which were no-decisions, but he limited the Red Sox to only two unearned runs in 13 innings.  And now Sonnenstine won’t have to face Mike Lowell or Jason Varitek tonight because of injury.  If Boston is to pull out a win they will definately need a team effort.

So do you want the ‘Totals’ winner in tonight’s game?  It’s real easy to get it.  At www.fivestarpick.com you can monitor our daily plays from our homepage and see for yourself if our talent for picking MLB winners exceeds your expectations.  NLCS playoff picks are not easy, but FiveStarPick.com’s proprietary sports handicapping software program coupled with two of the top sports handicappers in the business have proven a winning combination at nearly 65% against the spread.  You owe it to yourself to become a member of our family.  Join today and start winning tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

Tonight’s game will feature two of the best offenses in baseball, however the Texas Rangers have been slumping in the run department as of late.  But Texas always seems to turn it around in Arlington and we think tonight will be no different.

Tampa Bay (73-47) has a 3-game lead over Boston in the AL East and will look to build on that lead on the road.  The Rays are on a 10 game road trip and are coming off a marathon 12-inning victory over Oakland on Thursday.  Carlos Pena’s homer in the 12th, his 23rd of the season, was the catalyst that sealed the A’s fate.

The Rangers (61-61), have a major league-worst 5.45 ERA and have lost 7 of their last 8 games.  The Red Sox crushed the Rangers’ pitching staff for 37 runs in their last 3 games.  Texas is bringing back Kevin Millwood (6-6, 5.40 ERA) from the disabled list to start tonight’s game.  Millwood hurt his groin back in July after 1 inning against the White Sox.  He is (1-1, 6.38 ERA) lifetime against the Rays.  The Rays will start Matt Garza (9-7, 3.88).  Garza is (2-1, 2.95 ERA) lifetime against the Rangers.

So which way is FiveStarPick.com going in today’s games?  You will have to join to find out.  We are nearly 70% against the spread in 2008 and look forward to another win tonight.  Joining our family is easy.  Just click here www.fivestarpick.com and select a membership option.  Soon you we realize that no one gives more MLB winners than FiveStarPick.com.  Betting on baseball is not easy; it requires research, patience and the ability to understand stats and trends.  Let us make a believer out of you.  Join us today and start your winning streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com