The Tampa Bay Rays will be taking on their divisional rival Boston Red Sox in a Thursday night game. The matchup will begin at 7:10 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to New England Sports Network.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
Boston (-135) is favored over Tampa Bay (+125) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this night game at 10.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total currently stand at -105 for the under and -115 for the over. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -170 for picking the Rays +1.5 runs and +150 for the Red Sox -1.5 runs.
The Red Sox are 59-50 straight up (SU) and 47-61 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 17.6 units for moneyline bettors and 19.5 units ATS. Boston has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. On the other hand, the Rays are 62-48 SU and have gone 57-52 against the spread. Overall, the team’s lost 4.8 units for moneyline bettors and 0.7 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven.
Red Sox games have a 64-41-3 over/under record in 2019. Tampa Bay has been a decent under bet with a total record of 47-55-7.
Southpaw Brendan McKay is the projected starter for the visiting Rays. McKay (1-1, 3.72 ERA) has recorded 18 strikeouts in 19.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Red Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Red Sox are countering with Andrew Cashner (10-5, 4.18 ERA). Cashner has 81 punchouts and 34 walks, along with a 1.26 WHIP. Cashner is 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
As a unit, Boston’s pitching staff has given up 5.1 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have a 4.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.54 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 10.8 K/9. In 54 games against AL East opponents, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 4.92 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.45.
Boston’s offense has produced 5.8 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 7.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .339/.372/.608 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Red Sox hitters have been led by third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Devers is slashing .331/.381/.578 with 21 home runs, 84 RBIs and 89 runs scored, and Bogaerts has produced a line of .313/.394/.566 with 23 homers, 81 RBIs and 85 runs.
In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.11 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.87, along with a WHIP of 1.09 and a K/9 of 9.07.
The Rays offense has slashed .254/.327/.431 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been paced by outfielders Tommy Pham and Avisail Garcia. Pham is slashing .273/.373/.454 with 16 home runs, 46 RBIs, 50 runs and 12 stolen bases, while Garcia (.273/.331/.442) has produced 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 44 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 5.2 units and are 34-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 30 of those games, compared to 33 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Red Sox have lost 8.9 units and are 13-18 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in 19 of those games, compared to 11 that went under.
Rays at Red Sox Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in only one of Boston’s last seven games.
- The Rays have an OPS of .758 this season and an OPS of .766 against right-handed pitchers. The Red Sox’ OPS stands at .825 overall and .832 against righties.
- The Rays have won five of their last six games SU.
- Boston has recorded 30.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 32.6 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
