Boston Red Sox (75-59) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (84-48)
September 2, 2021 7:10 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -152 / Boston Red Sox +115; Over/Under: -7.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Thursday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. This will be the final installment in a four-game series. The Rays took the first two games, then on Wednesday in game three Boston eked out a victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston fell in the Monday opener 6-1, then gave up six runs in the third inning Tuesday on the way to an 8-5 defeat. In the Wednesday game, the Sox scored in the top of the ninth to break a tie in an eventual 3-2 victory. Starter Chris Sale lasted 5.0 innings with two earned on six hits and two walks.
For the Thursday starting pitcher role, the Sox will send out Eduardo Rodriguez. Over his 126.2 innings this year Rodriguez has 138 hits, 75 runs (72 earned), 17 homers allowed, 38 walks, 150 Ks and a 5.12 ERA.
Over on the Rays’ side, they posted just five hits in the Tuesday game (and gave up 10) but were able to make them count in the victory. On Wednesday, Tampa had a lead for most of the game but couldn’t hold on. Starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen put up 4.0 innings with five Ks, three hits and one earned run.
Starting pitcher for the Thursday matchup will be Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan. Over his 100.1 innings this year McClanahan has 98 hits, 42 runs (40 earned), 12 homers allowed, 31 walks, 117 Ks and a 3.59 ERA.
The Red Sox are 4-10 in their last 14 versus a lefty starter and 3-14 in their last 17 versus a team with a winning record. The under is 5-2 in Boston’s last seven versus a left-handed starter and the over is 29-14-2 in their last 45 on turf.
Meanwhile, the Rays are 10-1 in their last 11 Thursday games and 42-14 in their last 56 versus the AL East. Tampa is 37-14 in their last 51 overall and the over is 13-5-1 in their last 19 versus the AL East.
PICK: I’m going with the Rays again. McClanahan has posted five earned on three walks and 21 hits over his last three starts, a span of 16.1 innings. He’s finished 5.0 innings or more in each of his last seven starts as well. As for Rodriguez, he’s got eight earned on 16 hits, two walks and two homers over his last two starts in 10.2 innings. I like both starters to pitch fairly well here in a tight game and an eventual Tampa victory.
