Is The Red Sox Offense Back After Sunday’s Explosion?

Red Sox vs Rays Predictions: It'll Be A Low-Scoring Series

The Boston Red Sox began the season positively despite many analysts projecting low expectations. However, through 47 games, Boston is below .500 and has lost four of its last six.

The projections were correct, after all.

On the other hand, many expected the Tampa Bay Rays to compete this season. The Rays typically have a squad filled with random fill-ins who find a way to win. It took the Rays some time to figure out their team, but now they’re 25-23 and at least in contention for a Wild Card spot.

With momentum in the Tampa Bay Rays standings, the Rays are a very slight favorite heading into tonight’s matchup against the Red Sox. The Rays are currently -107, with the total sitting at 7.5. However, the Over is at 7.5, with the Over juiced to -115.

Take a look at our Red Sox vs Rays predictions for this American League East rivalry three-game series to start the week.

Red Sox logo Red Sox vs Rays Rays logo

Records: Red Sox (23-24)/Rays (25-23)
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Day/Time:
Television: NESN, Bally Sports Sun

More Crooked Numbers For Boston

Manager Alex Cora acknowledged the Red Sox need to add more crooked numbers in the box score if they want to string together wins. On Sunday, the Red Sox added 11 runs in a positive Sunday afternoon.

The rally began after O’Neill drilled a 439-foot home run in the first inning. Nine other batters added at least one hit for the Red Sox in that game.

However, the Boston Red Sox schedule doesn’t get any easier.

Uncover Exclusive Picks & Predictions From Our Experts.

Rays Landed Richard Lovelady From Cubs

On May 18, the Rays struck a deal with the Cubs to add relief pitcher Richard Lovelady. In the corresponding move, the Rays transferred Jacob Waguespack to the 60-day injured list and have now included Lovelady on their 40-man roster.

With the Cubs, Lovelady has a 7.94 ERA in seven relief appearances. Overall, he’s 2-7 with a 5.48 ERA.

The Rays also traded lefty Jeff Belge to the Cubs in the deal. Belge is 26 years old and has a 4.20 ERA in 11 relief appearances in Double-A.

Red Sox vs Rays Predictions & Odds For Game 1:

RL: Rays -1.5 (+185) ML: Rays -107, O/U 7.5 -115/-105


âš¾ Game 1 âš¾

Monday, 6:50 pm ET
Tanner Houck vs. Taj Bradley

Boston will try to return to .500 with Tanner Houck on the mound. The right-handed Red Sox pitcher has a 2.17 ERA on the season. However, he’s holding a record of 3-5 on the year. Boston has struggled to give him much run support this year.

Houck has struck out 24.3% of batters. He’s also limited teams to 4.7% of walks and has held opponents to a .050 ISO and wOBA of .247. He’s done that by inducing over 56% of grounders this season.

Against righties, the projected lineup for the Rays has hit just a .134 ISO and wOBA of .326. Tampa Bay has been able to limit strikeouts below 21% and has added 11.3% of walks. However, only Josh Lowe, Randy Arozarena, and Isaac Paredes have consistently shown off some power with extra-base hits against righties this season.

On the other hand, the Rays will send out Taj Bradley to begin the series. Bradley is a right-handed pitcher who has held teams to a .103 ISO and wOBA of .261. But he’s only faced 44 batters this year and has allowed more fly balls and line drives than ground balls this year.

Against righties, the Red Sox have hit a .157 ISO and wOBA of .295 with nearly 25% of strikeouts and just 7.1% of walks. Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Tyler O’Neill, and Rafael Devers have done damage. But the lineup from 5-to-9 has been super quiet against righties all year.

Overall, this should be a fun pitching duel. We’d grab the Under 7.5 (-105) in tonight’s rivalry matchup. Add the under in your MLB picks and parlays tonight.

âš¾ Game 2 âš¾

Tuesday, 6:50 pm ET
Cooper Criswell vs. Zack Littell

Cooper Criswell will get the start for Boston in the second matchup of the series. Criswell has also been terrific. He’s got a 276 ERA despite facing 120 batters this year. He’s allowed some power to righties but ultimately has held teams to a .298 wOBA thanks to nearly 46% of ground balls. Criswell has also limited MLB teams to 24.1% of fly balls and 21.7% of line drives.

Criswell will compete against Zack Littell of the Rays. Littell has struck out below 23% of batters but has still held teams to a .119 ISO. That’s important. Littell isn’t allowing many extra-base hits despite allowing over 30% of line drives. Eventually, those numbers might eat him apart, but for now, he’s chilling with a respectable 3.44 ERA this season.

Eventually, Littell will give up a higher amount of extra-base hits since he’s giving up so many line drives. Our Red Sox vs Rays predictions like the Red Sox in Game 2.

âš¾ Game 3 âš¾

Wednesday, 6:50 pm ET
Brayan Bello vs. Ryan Pepiot

In the final game of the series, Boston will roll with Brayan Bello. Bello has already allowed a .229 ISO and wOBA of .321 to his first 151 batters. However, he’s still kept walks down to 6% and has earned 49.5% of ground balls this season. His lack of strikeouts against lefties is concerning, but it’s higher than last season.

While the Rays haven’t confirmed this, Ryan Pepiot seems like the starter for Wednesday. This season, he struck out 29.1% of batters and has held teams to a .260 wOBA after facing 141 batters. If Pepiot returns from the injured list, the Rays will have a better chance of winning Game 3.

Red Sox vs Rays Lines

For MLB scores, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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