The Tampa Bay Rays continue to amaze and surprise as they pulled out a close win over Chicago in Tuesday's series opener, and one of the majors' best home teams will get another crack at the Cubs when the two meet at Tropicana Field on Thursday night to end this three-game interleague set .
Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay Rays – 7:10 PM ET
Sean Gallagher (3-3, 4.54) has dropped his last two starts, although he has not gotten much run support in those outings. Gallagher gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings of a 3-2 loss in Toronto, striking out five and walking a pair of batters. The 22-year-old righthander allowed two homers in the contest, but Gallagher is showing signs of being a solid starting pitcher for a very long time. He will need to step up his efforts on the road, though, as Gallagher has lost all three of his away starts this season with an ERA of 5.79. Gallagher has not met the Rays during his two years in the big leagues.
James Shields (4-5, 3.91) has not found the win column since May 9th, and he was absolutely rocked in his last start. Shields managed to last eight innings in a 6-1 loss in Los Angeles to the Angels, but he gave up six runs on ten hits. Shields, who struck out a season-high nine batters , showed a lot of heart to bounce back after a terrible four-run first inning,and he needs to keep this mental state as he works through some problems. This will be the first time in Shields' three-year career that he will face the Rays.
The Rays needed homers from Cliff Floyd and Evan Longoria to top the Cubs 3-2 in Tuesday's series opener, and this series was always going to be a close one. Both teams are skilled and feisty, and it would make for a great best-of-seven series . Shields has been stellar at home this season with a 2-1 record in seven starts with an ERA of 1.72, and a trip back to Tropicana could be just what he needs after two poor starts. Take the Rays to snatch this series finale on Friday.
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