The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox meet Sunday 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 Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Tampa Bay Rays will send out Taj Bradley for the start here and Bradley is 7-11 with a 4.30 ERA and 147 strikeouts this season. In his career, Bradley is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA and 30 strikeouts against the Red Sox. Nick Pivetta will start this one for the Red Sox and is 6-11 with a 4.21 ERA and 166 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Rays, Pivetta is 0-2 with a 4.13 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this one looking to rebound after being swept by the Detroit Tigers thanks to a 4-3 loss in Thursday’s series finale. The sweep meant that the Rays’ series win streak was over after knocking off the Blue Jays and Red Sox over the last week and a half.
Rays Trying To Close Season At .500
Yandy Diaz has 157 hits with 31 doubles while Jose Caballero has a team-high 44 stolen bases. Richie Palacios also has 19 stolen bases while Jose Siri has 18 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a team-high 168 strikeouts. Brandon Lowe also has chipped in 21 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 3 triples as well this season. Jonny DeLuca also added 4 triples as well on the year.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last seven games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Red Sox have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against AL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last nine games at Fenway Park.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites against the Rays following a loss.
Boston Red Sox Recap
The Boston Red Sox come into this one looking to build on their series win over the Blue Jays despite a 6-1 loss to Toronto in Wednesday’s series finale. The series win still gave the Red Sox back-to-back series W’s after taking out the Twins last weekend.
Red Sox Trying To Finish 2024 With Winning Record
Jarren Duran leads the Red Sox with 189 hits along with 34 stolen bases, 48 doubles, 14 triples, and 157 strikeouts, and also has 21 home runs and 75 RBIs so far this season. Wilyer Abreu has 33 doubles and Ceddanne Rafaela also has 75 RBIs while Rafael Devers has 143 hits with 34 doubles, 28 home runs, 83 RBIs, and a .272 batting average this season. Tyler O’Neill also has 31 home runs and 61 RBIs as well while David Hamilton has 33 stolen bases this season.
Why the Boston Red Sox will win
- The home team has won each of the Rays’ last seven games.
- The Rays have lost each of their last five road games.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line in 11 of their last 12 games against AL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven Friday night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
I’m on the Red Sox here. One good start isn’t going to convince me that Taj Bradley’s issues are in the past as he had an ERA over 10 in August and the Rays have lost 8 of his last 10 starts. I also don’t trust this Rays offense at all as I haven’t for the second half of the year after trading key pieces away at the trade deadline despite occupying a playoff spot at the time. The Red Sox are just in a much better spot in my eyes and I think they want to finish the season strong at home. Give me Boston.