In the last of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox (73-59) and the Tampa Bay Rays (56-75) at Fenway Park, Steven Wright (13-6, 3.18 ERA) and Drew Smyly (6-11, 4.80 ERA) get the ball. The Rays won the last game 4-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and will air on NESN and SUN.
In his most recent outing, Wright pitched 6.0 innings, giving up five runs, striking out one and walking three in a 6-3 loss to the Royals. The Rays were unsuccessful against the Astros 5-4 the last time Smyly pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing three runs (one unearned), striking out eight and walking two. Brad Miller (.258, 60 Rs, 25 HRs, 64 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Boston is a -170 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Red Sox are 55-41 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -288. They have a 27-24 record SU and are 18-16 as favorite within their division. The Red Sox have the most prolific offense in the entire AL, averaging 5.4 runs per game. The Red Sox are a superb hitting team with an AL-best 10.0 hits per game. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Red Sox don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fourth in the AL with only 8.5 hits allowed per game. An area where the Red Sox are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.3 K’s per game.
Switching gears, the Rays come into this game with a weak win percentage of .377 when playing as the underdog (23-38) and an overall money line of -2,637. Against divisional rivals, they are 22-29 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 13-19 record.
The Red Sox have mostly come out on top against the Rays in their previous 15 games this season, earning an 8-7 record. The Red Sox will take on a left-hander (Smyly) in this game and have a 17-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the right-hander Wright. They sport a 40-56 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Red Sox are 16-17. The Rays are 11-20 in close games this season.
The Red Sox are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Rays have a record of 26-47 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-56. The Red Sox have an 8-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Boston and Tampa Bay both rank in the top 10 of the league in home runs. Boston sits at 10th with 167 home runs this season and Tampa Bay ranks seventh with 174.
Ranking first in hits, Boston has earned 9.97 per game this season. Tampa Bay ranks 15th with 8.18 hits.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Boston has an OPS of .818 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 17th with an OPS of .737.
The Rays are 31-67 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 43-48 when they allow at least one homer.
