Ron's Tuesday MLB ML Slammer

The Astros clinched the division and now there is only home field advantage throughout the AL playoffs to play for. The Tampa Bay Rays on the other hand are still in the AL Wild Card race and not only are they playing for a good seed in the AL, but also the playoff spot in general. Shane McClanahan did not have the best start to the 2nd half of the year but now I am really impressed with what I am seeing from him. He is doing a great job at keeping the ball on the ground and keeping it in the yard, only allowing 1 home run in his last 34.2 innings of work! The Astros are a tough lineup to face, but Houston's ISO vs. LHP in the last 30 days is below average and I think McClanahan has a good outing here. On the other side, Cristian Javier has been good for at least one homer allowed in 8 of his last 10 starts, and against a Tampa Bay lineup that has been against RHP in the last month, I don't love Javier's chances. Javier has faced a lot of weaker lineups as of late but this should be a wake-up call and I think TBR gets to him for at least one long ball. I like the Rays in this one and the line is certainly moving in their direction quickly.