Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays
MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -120 odds (August 27th 2011)

Evan Longoria is doing his best to try to keep the Tampa Bay Rays’ faint playoff hopes alive. The team’s starting pitchers are also doing their part with an impressive streak. Tampa Bay right-hander Jeff Niemann will try to help his team accomplish a feat that hasn’t happened in the majors in 17 years when he faces the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Tampa Bay’s starters have been steady over the past two weeks, posting a 2.46 ERA while pitching at least seven innings in 11 consecutive games. The last team in the majors to have at least 12 such performances in a row was the 1994 Los Angeles Dodgers with 16 straight. Niemann is 7-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 11 starts since returning from the DL. Longoria homered twice off Henderson Alvarez in a 6-1 win at Rogers Centre on Friday, giving him six in the last nine games. Niemann has been at his best on the road this season, going 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA and 1.028 WHIP in eight starts. The Rays are 10-2 in their last 12 games as a favorite. Tampa is 7-0 in Niemann’s last 7 starts as a road favorite of -110 to -150. The Rays are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. Tampa is 18-4 in Niemann’s last 22 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. Take the Rays Saturday. Get more MLB picks from Jack Jones at Touthouse.com.