We have been struggling a bit lately with some close losses, but we are confident that we will be turning this around before the football season and it starts with the Rays on Thursday night.

Not only are the Rays just red hot right now, but they get an A's team that is flying across the country to play Thursday without a day off. They are also sending a pitcher to the mound in Tyson Ross who has major control issues with 4.33 BB/9. It just so happens the Rays are #1 right now in BB's and in 22 AB they have a 1.247 OPS against him. On the flip side Alex Cobb makes the start and he already has a 7 inning 1 ER performance vs. the A's who also like to get on base via the walk, but Cobb is only walking 2.52 guys per 9. Cobb has a better chance of pitching a quality game for his team as he has a 3.64 xFIP. I like the fact that he gets a lot of ground balls and he's supported by the Rays bullpen which has an ERA under 1 over their last 10 games and 2.18 at home on the year. The Rays as a team are hitting much better as they are 9th in the month of August with a .751 OPS. Oakland is 2-5 in their last 7 road games and 0-7 with Ross on the mound vs. a winning team.