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The Red Sox are looking to avenge their extra-innings loss to the Rays in the opening match of the series. After being down in multiple stages of the game, Boston forced extras through Kristian Campbell's RBI-single in the bottom of the ninth.
However, the visitors still prevailed after Jake Magnum's two-run go-ahead single in the 11th gave the Rays the 10-8 victory.
Game 2 should see the Sox deploy Lucas Giolito to begin the proceedings opposite the Rays' Ryan Pepiot. Unlike Giolito's 6.42 ERA, Pepiot has maintained a respectable 3.20 ERA with 64 punch-outs this season.
Rays vs. Red Sox recent form and records
Boston is caught in a peculiar situation as, along with the Rangers, they're the only two teams in MLB that own a positive run differential despite a losing record. The inconsistency has led Boston to a 32-36 record — 4.5 games behind the AL wild card spots.
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The Rays, meanwhile, are steadily and quietly climbing up the AL East table. Tampa Bay holds a 36-30 record and has now won seven of its last 10 fixtures.
Rays vs. Red Sox odds
Money Line: TB (-101), BOS (-108)
Run Spread: TB -1.5 (+143), BOS +1.5 (-175)
Total Runs: O 9.5 (+102), U 9.5 (-123)
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)
- Wilyer Abreu (RF): 10-day IL (oblique)
Rays vs. Red Sox projected lineup
TB projected lineup
- Josh Lowe (RF)
- Brandon Lowe (2B)
- Yandy Diaz (DH)
- Jonathan Aranda (1B)
- Junior Caminero (3B)
- Jake Magnum (LF)
- Kameron Misner (CF)
- Jose Caballero (SS)
- Danny Jansen (C)
- Ryan Pepiot (SP, 3-5 | 3.20 ERA | 64 K)
BOS projected lineup
- Jarren Duran (LF)
- Rafael Devers (DH)
- Abraham Toro (1B)
- Trevor Story (SS)
- Roman Anthony (RF)
- Carlos Narvaez (C)
- Marcelo Mayer (3B)
- Kristian Campbell (2B)
- Ceddanne Rafaela (CF)
- Lucas Giolito (SP, 1-1 | 3.42 ERA | 27 K)
Rays vs. Red Sox picks and game prediction
Given the disparity in form between the starting pitchers of the two squads, the Rays have a very slight advantage against the Sox. However, it should still be a nip-and-tuck affair as proven by Boston in Game 1, wherein they made multiple comebacks before ultimately falling short in extras.
Run Line: TB -1.5 (+143)
Total Runs: O 9.5 (+102)
Prediction: TB wins, 7-5
