The Tampa Bay Rays will square off against their divisional rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and New England Sports Network is in line to broadcast the matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
The Rays are 12-13 SU and have gone 14-10 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season, despite having gained 4.6 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 19-7 SU and 13-12 ATS. They’ve gained 11.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.4 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Boston games have an over/under record of 13-11-1 so far in 2018. The Rays have been a decent over bet with a total record of 16-8.
Matt Andriese is getting the start for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Andriese is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 13.50 ERA against Boston this year (three starts).
The Red Sox are planning to start righty Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.93 ERA), who’s got 32 strikeouts and four walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.83. Porcello is 2-0 with 11 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA across two starts against Tampa Bay this year.
As a unit, Boston’s pitching staff has given up 3.3 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 3.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. In 18 games against AL East foes, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 3.08 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.79.
The Boston offense has put up 5.6 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .246/.316/.389 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Red Sox hitters have been led by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. Betts is hitting .344/.439/.733 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 29 runs scored, and Martinez’s line is .301/.350/.548 with five homers, 20 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .303/.376/.690, Martinez appeared to enjoy hitting at home in 2017, producing .355/.439/.820 across 253 plate appearances.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 4.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.98 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.72, along with a WHIP of 1.33.
The Rays offense has slashed .270/.344/.422 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 8.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been powered by second baseman Daniel Robertson and second baseman Joey Wendle. Robertson is slashing .345/.500/.603 with 20 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored, while Wendle (.338/.405/.508) has produced 22 hits, nine RBIs and 13 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 1.8 units and are 7-8 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over’s hit in 11 of those games, compared to four that’ve hit the under against righties.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
Boston has posted 22.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.4 over its last five.
The Rays have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
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