Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Rays vs Red Sox Odds
The Red Sox are a -130 moneyline favorite at MLB betting sites for the series opener. The Rays come back at +102, while the total is set at 8.5 runs.
This series has been all Tampa so far this season. They took two out of three from Boston at Fenway earlier in the year before sweeping the Sox at Tropicana Field in June.
Rays vs Red Sox Analysis
Tampa Bay heads into the start of the second half with the best record in the American League at 56-38. Despite not having a roster of superstars, this ball club continues to show they’re one of the best around. The Rays are incredibly solid on both sides of the ball, ranking top-10 in runs scored and team ERA. The leader of their offense has been youngster Junior Caminero, who has slugged 28 home runs while hitting .279.
Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Chandler Simpson are all swinging it well, too. Griffin Jax has been one of Tampa’s most reliable starters, and he’ll be tasked with trying to contain the Red Sox on Friday. The right-hander owns a 5-6 record and 3.47 ERA across 25 appearances, including 14 starts. He’s served in a variety of roles, but Jax has mostly been in the rotation lately. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a single outing dating back to the beginning of June, and Jax surrendered just two earned to Boston in May.
The Red Sox may be two games below .500, but they’re scorching hot at the moment. Boston went into the ASG break in the midst of a nine-game winning streak, and that now puts them only a half-game out of the American League Wild Card race. The playoffs are a serious reality for this ball club, and that means they need to keep playing consistent baseball.
The next three series are also crucial because they’re all against AL East opponents. After the Rays visit, Boston welcomes the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays to town. Although the Red Sox have been scoring more runs lately, it’s their pitching that continues to be a clear strength. Jake Bennett is a big reason for that, as he owns a 2.64 ERA and 4-3 record across eight big league starts since getting called up. The left-hander consistently pounds the strike zone, allowing just seven walks in 47.2 innings.
Rays vs Red Sox Picks
Bennett has looked incredible, and he’s one of Boston’s most reliable arms. The Red Sox are also flourishing, and they’ve won four of their last six at home. The hosts will take the first game of this doubleheader on Friday afternoon.
Pick: Red Sox (-130)/TonyBet
