The red-hot Tampa Bay Rays are seeking their seventh straight win as they play host to the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. The matchup will begin at 6:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to New England Sports Network.
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
The Rays are 68-61 straight up (SU) and 69-59 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 11.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 11.6 units (ATS). Tampa Bay has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 90-40 SU and have gone 79-50 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 33.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 29.6 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Tampa Bay games have an over/under record of 53-71-4 in 2018. The Red Sox have an over/under record of 59-64-6.
Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.72 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 57 games against divisional foes, Rays starters have an ERA of 4.78 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.70.
The Tampa Bay offense is putting up 4.2 runs per contest, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .341/.409/.451 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that span.
Third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith have led the Rays’ batters this year. Duffy is hitting .294/.352/.368 with four home runs, 33 RBIs and 44 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .307 with 115 hits, 31 RBIs, 50 runs and 27 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.46 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.30, along with a K/9 of 9.57.
The Red Sox offense has slashed .270/.341/.460 on its way to 5.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Boston’s offense has been powered by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts, who have combined to launch 65 home runs. Martinez is slashing .335/.406/.654 with 38 home runs, 110 RBIs and 95 runs scored, while Betts is hitting .338/.425/.634 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 104 runs and 24 stolen bases.
The Rays have gained 4.3 units and are 47-43 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 41 of those games, as opposed to 47 that’ve hit the under against righties.
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Boston has recorded 16 extra-base hits over its last five games. Tampa Bay has 14 XBH over its last five.
- Both teams have hit six home runs over their last 10 outings.
- Boston has posted 22.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 28.2 over its last five.
