Tampa Bay Rays vs
Boston Red SoxPredictions & Preview

Rays vs Red Sox: Tampa Bay Primed for Upset Victory in Three-Game Series Opener

The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox will face off in a three-game series, with the first game taking place on Friday evening. The Rays are coming off a loss to the Detroit Tigers, while the Red Sox had a day off after losing to the Toronto Blue Jays. Taj Bradley will start as pitcher for the Rays, with Nick Pivetta starting for the Red Sox. Boston is favored to win, with the opening line at -130 and the current line at Boston -131.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rays +117 | Red Sox -131
• Spread: Rays +1.5 (-190) | Red Sox -1.5 (+161)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Boston will win straight-up is 57%.

Tampa Bay vs Boston Stats

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have struggled throughout the season, currently standing at fourth in the AL East with a 78-81 record. The team has been hitting poorly with a .230/.302/.368 team slash line and averaging 3.74 runs per game. Despite this, first baseman Yandy Diaz has been the team's best hitter with a .759 OPS and 65 RBIs. Young right-hander Taj Bradley has been pitching well, coming off a win against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays are ranked 29th in offense, 11th in defense, and have a power ranking of 11.

Boston Red Sox Analysis

The Boston Red Sox have been performing at a mediocre level this season and have been eliminated from playoff contention. They currently hold a 80-79 record and are third in the AL East. Despite their struggles, the team has excelled at the plate, ranking seventh in MLB with a .745 team OPS and averaging 4.69 runs per game. Center fielder Jarren Duran has been a standout performer with an .870 OPS and 34 stolen bases. Righty Nick Pivetta will be pitching in the upcoming game, coming off a victory in his last outing. The Red Sox have a power ranking of 13 and are ranked ninth in offense, averaging 4.71 runs per game. On the defensive side, they are ranked 23rd, giving up an average of 4.64 points per game. In their recent matchups, Tampa Bay has won two out of three games against Boston.

Performance Comparison of Starting Pitchers Leads to Advantages for Tampa Bay Rays Over Boston Red Sox

Taj Bradley and Nick Pivetta have demonstrated similar performance on the mound as starting pitchers, resulting in a comparable level of effectiveness. However, the divergence in the pitching staff becomes apparent once they are replaced. The Tampa Bay Rays rank 11th in the MLB with a reliever ERA of 3.76, while the Boston Red Sox are ranked 25th with a bullpen ERA of 4.46. Furthermore, the Rays have a road ERA of 4.01, compared to the Red Sox's 4.17 ERA at Fenway Park. Based on these statistics, it would be advisable to favor the Tampa Bay Rays as road underdogs in the upcoming game.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]