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Brandon Lowe to drive in 1+ run
Welcome to the chaotic conclusion of the MLB regular season. With multiple playoff spots still up for grabs and every game starting right around the same time, today should offer no shortage of excitement around the league. One of the matchups with playoff implications is the Rays vs. Yankees.
Despite Tampa Bay having solidified its place atop the AL East, New York is still vying for a playoff spot. Yesterday, the Rays hit the 100-win mark for the first time in franchise history. Today, they have the opportunity to disrupt the Yankees from clinching a Wild Card spot. The Rays have defeated the Yankees in the first two games of this series, and they don’t intend on giving the Yanks a free pass to the postseason. [[ad:athena]]
In yesterday’s win, Tampa Bay’s Brandon Lowe had one of the greatest offensive games of his career. He belted three home runs and drove in seven RBIs in the Rays’ 12-2 win. On the season, Lowe has batted .247 with 39 home runs and 99 RBIs. His performance has improved significantly over the course of the season. In the first half he slashed .208/.316/.465 in comparison to the second half, where he has produced a .292/.370/.597 line. He has posted an OPS of 1.024 in the combined months of September/October, which is his high mark of any month this year. Not to mention, his offensive production over this past week is nothing short of stellar.
In his last three games, the left-handed-hitting Lowe has five home runs and 11 RBIs. Over his last five games, he has batted 12-for-22 (.545 average) and has at least one extra-base hit in each game. He has recorded one or more RBIs in four of his last five games.
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Matchup:
The Rays are facing off in game 162 against Jameson Taillon and the New York Yankees. Taillon has squared off against the Rays twice this season and is 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA in those outings. Aaron Boone opted to start Taillon on Sunday in an effort to save Gerrit Cole for either the AL Wild Card game or a tiebreaker game. The right-handed Taillon is 8-6 on the season with a 4.40 ERA. In his last start, he lasted just 2.1 innings before reaggravating his ankle injury, which had previously placed him on the injured list. This is a crucial game for New York, but depending on how Taillon’s ankle holds up, this has the potential to turn into a bullpen game. The right on left matchup should bode well today for Lowe as his season OPS against righties is .958 as opposed to .666 versus southpaws.
Lowe is currently listed at +140 odds to drive in 1+ run. On the cusp of a 40 home run, 100 RBI season with the short porch at Yankee Stadium on tap, I’d predict Lowe will be looking to finish the regular season strong and swing for the fences today.
Pick: Brandon Lowe to drive in 1+ run
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