The Tampa Bay Rays are ready to take on their division rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. New England Sports Network will broadcast the matchup. The first pitch will be at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays at 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 total has gone under in three of those seven. On the other hand, the Rays have gone 62-61 SU this year and are 66-56 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 6.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 11.6 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven.
Boston games have an over/under record of 57-61-5 in 2018. Rays games have gone under 67 times, gone over 52 times and pushed on three instances.
Diego Castillo is projected to start for the visiting Rays. Castillo is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA and 37 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Boston this year.
The Red Sox are putting the ball in the hands of 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.
Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.78 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.19 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.84, along with a WHIP of 1.19 and a K-per-9 of 8.20.
Rays hitters have slashed .252/.327/.392 on their 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 paced by third baseman Matt Duffy and outfielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is slashing .294/.352/.372 with four home runs, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .301 with two homers, 29 RBIs, 48 runs and 26 stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Boston’s pitchers have given up 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. 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.
The Boston offense is putting up 5.5 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .244/.303/.409 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have led the Red Sox batters this year. Martinez is slashing .333/.404/.667 with 38 home runs, 106 RBIs and 92 runs scored, while the line for Betts stands at .346/.434/.658 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 100 runs and 24 stolen bases.
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 Trends
Tampa Bay has tallied 15 extra-base hits over its last five games. Boston has 18 XBH over its last five.
The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight games SU.
Boston has posted 25.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.4 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.
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