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San Diego Padres (41-29) @ Tampa Bay Rays (42-28)

Date: Thursday June 24th, 2010

Time: 12:10 pm EST

Preview: One of the top teams in the National League will bathe one of the top teams in the American League for the final game of a three game series on Thursday afternoon. The San Diego Padres, winners of two straight and six of their last ten will battle the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Padres won the first game of the three game series on Tuesday 2-1. San Diego is in first place in the National League West division, leading the San Francisco Giants by 1.5 games. The Padres have the top statistical pitching in the National League, with a 3.04 earned run average. Their top pitcher has been Mat Latos, who leads the team with 8 wins and a 2.93 earned run average. San Diego has struggled offensively, ranking 26th in all of baseball with a .247 batting average. Adrian Gonzalez leads the team with a .313 batting mark, while blasting 15 homeruns and 47 runs batted in. The Padres will send Wade LeBlanc to the mound to slow down the Tampa Bay offense. LeBlanc is 4-4 with a 2.88 earned run average in 12 starts this season.

The Rays will counter with Matt Garza. Garza, after starting the season red-hot has lost four of his last six starts, including his most recent start in Miami. The 26 year old right hander has a career record 34-39 in 100 career starts. Tampa Bay has dropped to second place in the American League East, tied with Boston, 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees. The Rays rank 18th in baseball with a .258 batting average, and 16th with 64 homeruns.

Our prediction for this game: Garza pitches well and beats the Padres. Tampa Bay wins 6-1.