Pitching match up here is pretty even with Garza vs. Norris and many wouldn't know it. I actually giving a bigger edge to Norris who is pitching at home because for one he's been great at home with a 2.65 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP and hitters are hitting just .188 against him there. Also he's on fire with a 0.47 ERA over his last three starts and the Cubs are 8-18 in their last 26 road games. Norris is also striking out more batters and walking less than Garza who has a 4.56 ERA on the road. Norris has a 2.31 ERA in his 4 career starts vs. the Cubs who will try to snap a 6 game losing streak. I just don't see it happening especially since the Astros have the better bullpen by far as well with a season home ERA of 2.24 while the Cubs are posting a 4.88 ERA on the road.
Like the Rockies the Blue Jays are a completely different team away from home. Jeremy Hellickson who has a 1.44 ERA at home facing some pretty good teams including the Red Sox and Yankees has a 3.92 ERA vs. the Blue Jays but all three starts have been in Toronto. Toronto is 22nd in OPS on the road and they are 6-15 in their last 21 as a road dog. While TB is 20-6 in their last 26 home games facing a RH starter. They'll go up against Kyle Drabek who just is not that good away from home.
Drabek is off a QS vs. the Yankees where he dominated, but it came at a cost as he threw a season high 113 pitches and now he's on 4 days rest going on the road where he has a 5.23 ERA this year and playing in a dome with turf where he posted a 6.95 ERA last year on turf. Drabek should have his hands full tonight and the Blue Jays won't give him much run support. Rays are #1 vs. Drabeks best pitch the fast ball and they are also 3rd in the league in taking walks. Drabek's big issue still is control as he is walking 5.44 runners per 9 innings. I expect the Rays to have guys on base all day long while Hellickson continues his success at home as Toronto is ranked just 16th and 18th overall vs. fast ball and change ups. Hellickson should be able to keep them off balance tonight.
