The streaking Boston Red Sox will go for their fifth straight victory as they play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. New England Sports Network will be airing the matchup and the game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
The Red Sox are 33-29 straight up (SU) and 26-35 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 12.0 units for moneyline bettors and 12.3 units ATS. Boston has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Rays, on the other hand, have gone 37-23 SU this year and are 34-25 against the spread. In total, the club has accumulated 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 7.5 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven.
Red Sox games have had an over/under record of 34-25-2 so far in 2019. The Rays have an over/under record of 25-30-4.
Right-hander Yonny Chirinos will get the start for the visiting Rays. Chirinos is 6-2 with a 3.25 ERA and 49 strikeouts. This will be his first start against Boston this year. He did make two starts against the Red Sox in 2018, putting together a 0-1 record against them with a 4.24 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Red Sox will turn to righty Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.76 ERA), who has 56 strikeouts and 23 walks, in addition to a WHIP of 1.40. Porcello is 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
Boston’s pitchers have given up 4.7 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have a 4.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.06 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 10.3 K/9. In 23 games against AL East opponents, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 4.17 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.45.
Boston’s offense is putting up 5.5 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .298/.371/.492 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts have led the Red Sox hitters this year. Devers is hitting .316/.378/.511 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs, 47 runs and eight stolen bases, while Bogaerts is hitting .297 with 12 homers, 40 RBIs and 50 runs.
For the visitors, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 10.34 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.34, along with a WHIP of 1.02 and a K/9 of 8.77.
The Rays offense has slashed .260/.338/.440 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Outfielders Tommy Pham and Avisail Garcia continue to lead Tampa Bay’s offense. Pham is hitting .293/.406/.471 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 26 runs and six stolen bases, while Garcia (.300/.358/.530) has produced 11 homers, 28 RBIs, 30 runs and six stolen bases.
The Rays have lost 1.9 units and are 21-20 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Red Sox have lost 3.6 units and are 21-23 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 25 of those games, as opposed to 18 that’ve cashed the under.
Rays at Red Sox Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- The Rays have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
- The Rays have a team OPS of .778 this season and an OPS of .793 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Red Sox’ OPS stands at .789 overall and .795 against righties.
- Boston has recorded 26.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 28.4 over its last five.
