The Boston Red Sox are playing host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. New England Sports Network is in line to televise the action and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox Odds
Vegas has listed Tampa Bay (+160) as the underdog to Boston (-170). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 9.5 runs and -110 for under 9.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Rays +1.5 runs (-135) and Red Sox -1.5 runs (+115).
The Rays have gone 62-59 SU this year and are 65-55 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 11.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 86-36 SU and 74-48 ATS. They’ve gained 33.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 26.5 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Boston games have an over/under record of 56-61-5 in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a decent under bet with a total record of 51-66-3.
Ryne Stanek will get the nod for Tampa Bay. The right-handed Stanek is 1-3 with a 2.42 ERA and 62 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Boston this year.
The Red Sox are handing the ball to lefty Brian Johnson (3-3, 3.95 ERA), who has 70 strikeouts and 25 walks to his name, as well as a 1.38 WHIP. Johnson is 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 13.50 ERA against Tampa Bay this year.
Boston’s pitching staff has given up 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. 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 3.39 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 58 games against AL East opponents, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 3.67 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.94.
Boston’s hitters are putting up 5.5 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .246/.323/.449 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Red Sox hitters have been led by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Martinez is hitting .333/.402/.663 with 37 home runs, 104 RBIs and 88 runs scored, and Betts is batting .352 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 99 runs and 24 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.73 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.26 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.81, along with a WHIP of 1.19.
Rays hitters have slashed .253/.328/.393 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offensive production has been sparked by third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is hitting .297/.354/.376 with four home runs, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .299/.372/.425 with two homers, 29 RBIs, 48 runs and 26 stolen bases.
The Rays have gained 8.3 units and are 22-13 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 11 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 33.1 units and are 59-34 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 42 of those games, compared to 47 that went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has cashed in three of Boston’s last seven games.
The Rays have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games. The Red Sox have hit 18 over their last 10.
Tampa Bay has posted 19.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.8 over its last five.
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