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The Boston Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays in what could be a barnburner of a series for AL East dominance between the modern-day rivals. The three-game series is set to feature two squads that are both coming off series victories.
Boston was successful in its quest to claim a series victory against its sworn rivals, the Yankees, while Tampa Bay fended off its Floridian neighbor, the Marlins, in its three-game set.
The Sox are set to start Brayan Bello on the mound against the Rays' Shane Baz. Both pitchers have yet to dominate this year, but the slight edge should be given to Bello, who owns a sub-4.00 ERA.
Rays vs. Red Sox recent form and records
After tinkering with the squad in the offseason to beef up their lineup, the Sox have tapered away in the AL East after several of their key players were hit with an injury bug. The team is currently fourth in the division with a 32-35 record.
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On the other hand, the Rays barely made any moves ahead of this year, just in line with their frugal reputation. Despite losing star Wander Franco due to controversy, the team has slowly built itself up and now possesses a 35-30 record, good for second place in the stacked AL East.
Rays vs. Red Sox odds
Money Line: TB (+102), BOS (-111)
Run Spread: TB -1.5 (+151), BOS +1.5 (-188)
Total Runs: O 8.5 (-111), U 8.5 (-108)
Rays vs. Red Sox injuries
TB injuries
- Shane McClanahan (SP): 60-day IL (triceps)
- Ha-Seong Kim (SS): 60-day IL (shoulder)
- Hunter Bigge (RP): 15-day IL (lat)
- Jonny DeLuca (CF): 60-day IL (shoulder)
- Nate Lavender (RP): 60-day IL (elbow)
- Alex Faedo (RP): 60-day IL (shoulder)
- Richie Palacios (LF): 10-day IL (knee)
BOS injuries
- Kutter Crawford (SP): 60-day IL (knee)
- Tanner Houck (SP): 15-day IL (elbow)
- Triston Casas (1B): 60-day IL (knee)
- Alex Bregman (3B): 10-day IL (quad)
- Patrick Sandoval (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)
- Masataka Yoshida (LF): 60-day IL (shoulder)
- Justin Slaten (RP): 15-day IL (elbow)
Rays vs. Red Sox projected lineup
TB projected lineup
- Josh Lowe (RF)
- Brandon Lowe (2B)
- Yandy Diaz (DH)
- Jonathan Aranda (1B)
- Junior Cminero (3B)
- Jake Magnum (LF)
- Kameron Misner (CF)
- Jose Caballero (SS)
- Danny Jansen (C)
- Shane Baz (SP, 5-3 | 4.96 ERA | 60 K)
BOS projected lineup
- Jarren Duran (LF)
- Rafael Devers (DH)
- Wilyer Abreu (RF)
- Carlos Narvaez (C)
- Marcelo Mayer (3B)
- Abraham Toro (1B)
- Trevor Story (SS)
- Kristian Campbell (2B)
- Ceddanne Rafaela (CF)
- Brayan Bello (SP, 2-1 | 3.91 ERA | 33 K)
Rays vs. Red Sox picks and game prediction
Although he has posted five wins for the year, Rays starter Shane Baz has been unreliable on the mound this year. The Red Sox should comfortably take the opening game at home.
Run Line: BOS +1.5 (-188)
Total Runs: U 9.5 (-119)
Prediction: BOS wins, 4-3
