The Boston Red Sox are set to host their divisional rival Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. New England Sports Network will broadcast the action. The game gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
The Red Sox are 88-36 straight up (SU) and 75-48 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 34.7 units for moneyline bettors and 27.6 units (ATS). Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Rays have gone 62-61 SU this year and are 66-56 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 6.8 units for moneyline bettors and 11.6 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Boston games have had an over/under record of 57-61-5 in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a good under bet with a total record of 52-67-3.
Diego Castillo will get the start for the visiting Rays. Castillo (3-2, 3.63 ERA) has recorded 37 strikeouts in 34.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Boston this year.
The Red Sox are handing the ball to righty Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77 ERA), who’s got 36 strikeouts and 17 walks, as well as a 1.38 WHIP. Velazquez is 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
As a unit, Boston’s pitching staff has yielded 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.55, a WHIP of 1.18 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 3.34 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 60 games against AL East opponents, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 3.66 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.84.
Boston’s hitters are putting up 5.5 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .244/.303/.409 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Red Sox batters have been led by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Martinez is hitting .333/.404/.667 with 38 home runs, 106 RBIs and 92 runs scored, and Betts is hitting .346 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 100 runs and 24 steals.
For the visiting squad, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.78 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.19 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.84, along with a WHIP of 1.19.
The Rays offense has slashed .252/.327/.392 on its way to 4.1 runs scored per game this season, including 3.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been led by third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is slashing .294/.352/.372 with four home runs, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .301/.374/.426 with two homers, 29 RBIs, 48 runs and 26 steals.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay has tallied 15 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Boston has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Rays have hit six home runs in their last 10 games. The Red Sox have hit 15 over their last 10.
- Tampa Bay has recorded 18.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.4 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight games SU.
