The 47-37 Tampa Bays Rays are just 1½ games back of the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East and will open a 3-game set tonight at Steinbrenner Field against the 34-52 Athletics. The Rays have been hot in the month of June, going 17-9, and are expected to call on their ace, righty Drew Rasmussen, to throw strikes. Rasmussen is 7-5 with an excellent ERA of 2.46, a WHIP of just 0.96, and is 2-0 in his career against the A’s with a 0.69 ERA. The Athletics are expected to give the nod to southpaw Jacob Lopez (2-4, 3.56 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) and he has been dealing. Over his last 4 starts, Lopez has allowed just 14 hits and only 2 runs but that doesn’t bother Tampa. They are 4-0 in their last 4 against a left-handed starter. The Athletics are the third worst team in the majors with a record of 19-25 on the road, and even with a hot hurler on the mound Tampa should prevail.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS