Boston Red Sox vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Rays Poised for Victory in Final Showdown Against Red Sox in AL East Rivalry Series

The American League East rivals Boston and Tampa Bay are set to conclude their three-game series with a Thursday night matchup. The Red Sox are currently in 3rd place in the AL East with a record of 75-76, while the Rays trail closely behind in 4th place at 74-77. Boston will have RHP Cooper Criswell on the mound, with Tampa Bay countering with RHP Zack Littell. The game is set to start at 6:50 EST at Tropicana Field. Additionally, Brayan Bello will be starting for the Red Sox, while Zack Littell will be on the mound for the Rays, with Tampa Bay opening as the betting favorite at -108.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Red Sox -106 | Rays -105
• Spread: Red Sox -1 (+125) | Rays +1 (-152)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 51%.

Boston vs Tampa Bay Stats

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have struggled in the final stretch of the season, losing six of their last nine games and potentially falling in the division standings. Their offense has been lacking, scoring the second fewest runs in the American League over the last month. Triston Casas hit his ninth home run of the season in Tuesday's loss, but the team's pitching has also struggled, posting a 4.18 team ERA. Despite this, pitcher Criswell has been a standout performer, allowing only five runs in his last five games. The bullpen has a 4.58 ERA, ranking third worst in the AL. Overall, Boston has a power ranking of 19, with a ninth-ranked offense and 24th-ranked defense, holding a 76-75 record for the season.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have had a mixed performance recently, with several back-to-back losses but also some strong wins. Their pitching staff has a 3.57 team ERA over the last 30 days, with 10 shutouts this season. Starting pitching has a 3.99 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Littell has been a standout player, with two wins in his last two starts and 144 2/3 innings pitched. Offensively, the team has struggled, hitting .229 and scoring just 95 runs in the last month. Brandon Lowe and Jose Siri have been key players, with Lowe hitting his 19th home run and driving in two runs in the latest win, while Siri hit his 18th home run and drove in four runs. The Rays have a power ranking of 13 and rank 29th in offense, scoring an average of 3.83 runs per game. Their defense ranks 12th, giving up an average of 4.22 runs per game. Overall, they have a record of 74-78. In their last three matchups against Boston, Tampa Bay went 1-2.

Rays Poised for Victory as Season Series with Red Sox Nears Final Showdown

After securing a victory on Tuesday, the Rays have successfully equalized the season series with the Red Sox, with each team boasting four wins. The upcoming final series of the season will see these two teams face off one last time. Littell has shown moderate performance against the Red Sox in two previous starts this season, although he has not secured a decision. Despite maintaining a 3-5 record at home, Littell has managed an impressive 3.15 ERA in 14 starts at the Trop. Criswell has been putting up strong performances recently, but his limited innings since returning to the rotation five starts ago may be a concern. The Rays could potentially gain an advantage by exploiting the Red Sox bullpen early in the game. With the Red Sox showing signs of struggle in recent weeks, the Rays have a prime opportunity to capitalize on their opponent's vulnerability. Prior to Wednesday, Tampa Bay has held a 6-4 record in the last ten matchups with the Red Sox. Given these factors, the Rays are the favorable choice.

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