In the second of a four-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (52-71) and the Boston Red Sox (70-54) at Tropicana Field, Chris Archer (7-16, 4.18 ERA) and Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.55 ERA) get the start. The Red Sox won the last game 6-2, and Boston leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 23 and will air on NESN and SUN.
In his last start, Archer pitched 7.1 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 2-0 victory over the Padres. Evan Longoria (.291, 66 Rs, 29 HRs, 78 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Red Sox were unsuccessful against the Tigers 1-1 the last time Buchholz pitched. He went 3.2 innings, allowing one run. David Ortiz (.320, 60 Rs, 29 HRs, 97 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Red Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Tampa Bay is favored by a small -110 margin in its matchup against Boston. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Rays are 32-36 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -2,550. They have SU record of 6-4 and are unbeaten as the favorite (5-0) over their last 10 games. Tampa Bay has averaged 6.4 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.2. The Rays rank fifth in the majors in home runs with 166.
Switching gears, the Red Sox come into this game with a win percentage of .500 when playing as the underdog (17-17) and an overall money line of -51. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 8-2 SU and has a poor 0-2 record when it was an underdog to win. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 5.5 runs per game. The top hitting team in the AL are the Red Sox, who average 10.0 hits per game. The Red Sox are one of the top AL pitching staffs on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of four runs allowed per away game. They also allow just 8.5 hits per game, good for fifth in the AL. The Boston pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 8.0 strikeouts per game.
The Red Sox have mostly come out on top against the Rays in their previous 10 games this season, earning a 6-4 record. The Rays will take on a right-hander (Buchholz) in this game and have a 38-53 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Archer will take the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 54-40 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Boston is 35-25, while Tampa Bay is 22-33.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rays have a 16-39 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 35-10. The Red Sox have a 62-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Boston has earned 681 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 22nd with 518 runs.
Ranking 17th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 365 this season. Boston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 419.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 45-44. When the Red Sox hit at least one homer, they have a 58-37 record.
