The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox meet Friday in MLB action from Fenway Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Drew Rasmussen will get the start for the Rays here and is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA and 76 strikeouts this season. In his career, Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 16 strikeouts against the Red Sox. Hunter Dobbins will get the nod for the Red Sox here and Dobbins is 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season. This will be Dobbins’ first career start against the Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to bounce back from a 4-3 loss at the hands of the Red Sox in Thursday’s series opener to fall to 50-44 on the year. After this series, the Rays will have the all-star break before taking on the Baltimore Orioles at home.
Rays Drop 7 Of Their Last 10
Jonathan Aranda has 99 hits with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 49 RBIs. Brandon Lowe has 86 hits with 19 homers and 50 RBIs as well while Junior Caminero has 87 hits with 19 doubles, a team-high 22 home runs and 58 RBIs. Yandy Diaz has 101 hits with 18 doubles, 14 homers and 53 RBIs and Kameron Misner has 42 hits with 9 doubles, 5 homers and 22 RBIs as well while Christopher Morel has 62 strikeouts while Lowe has 85 strikeouts and Misner has 69 K’s as well this season. Jose Caballero has 31 stolen bases while Taylor Walls has 10 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won 11 of their last 12 games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Red Sox have lost four of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last 12 games against AL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as home favorites against AL East opponents following a win.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances in night games.
- Ha-Seong Kim has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against AL East opponents.
- Jonathan Aranda ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.401) this season.
Boston Red Sox Recap
The Boston Red Sox come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Rays on Thursday to sit at 50-45 this season. After this series, the Red Sox will square off against the Cubs at Wrigley Field after the all-star break.
Red Sox Win 7 In A Row
Alex Bregman has 59 hits including 17 doubles along with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Trevor Story’s added 88 hits with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs and 14 stolen bases while Jarren Duran has 101 hits with 24 doubles, 10 triples, 8 home runs, 50 RBIs and a team-high 15 stolen bases. Kristian Campbell’s added 51 hits with 10 doubles, 6 homers and 21 RBIs while Wilyer Abreu has 18 home runs with 52 RBIs and 5 stolen bases and Ceddanne Rafaela has 12 homers, 21 doubles, 2 triples, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases this season.
Why the Boston Red Sox will win
- The Red Sox have won each of their last seven games.
- The Rays have lost six of their last seven night games against American League opponents.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line in six of their last seven games.
Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
- Ceddanne Rafaela has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances after playing the previous day.
- Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded a Double in five of his last six appearances after playing the previous day.
- Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one hit in each of the Red Sox’s last nine games as home favorites against AL opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Red Sox’s last eight games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Rays’ last four games as underdogs against the Red Sox have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Prediction
I’m leaning towards the Rays here. I don’t want to keep getting beat up on the other side of the Red Sox, but I’m not a Hunter Dobbins fan at all and I think that Drew Rasmussen might be the best of the bunch in the Rays’ rotation this season. If Boston can get this train going with Dobbins starting, I’ll be a believer. Give me the Rays until I’m proven otherwise.