MLB Betting Preview: Red Sox vs Rays Series Odds
Bello Going for Sox as Tampa Trots out Wisler and a 2.58 ERA
After the glow of the 4-game weekend series against the Yankees fades – one that saw the Red Sox take the final two games in dramatic fashion; Boston will have to continue their quest to stay on top of the MLB wild card standings against Tampa who occupies the second wild card. The Rays have had Boston’s number at home winning 10 of their last 14 meetings along with 4 of 5 overall. Stay tuned to this Red Sox vs Rays Series Odds preview.
- Game: Boston Red Sox (47-39) at Tampa Bay Rays (45-40)
- Location: Tropicana Field
- Day/Time:
- Television: NESN, BSSUN
Can the Red Sox Continue the Momentum after the Wild and Emotional Series against the Yankees?
The New York Yankees have been so dominant in 2022 that many haven’t even bothered to look past the Bombers in the American League East standings.
This weekend, Boston continued to feed their confidence with two thrilling wins against the Yankees at Fenway to earn a split of their series and to improve upon the Boston Red Sox standings for the Wild Card. Alex Cora’s team leads the Rays by just a game and a half for the top spot in the wild-card standings. Does any of this change the Red Sox vs Rays Series Odds?
Boston will open the series with right-hander Brayan Bello on the mound, making just his second Major League start. Bello has moved quickly through the system after making just eight AAA starts.
His first taste of the big leagues was against Tampa, 5 days ago, where the right-hander allowed four earned runs, and six hits in four innings. To win with consistency, a bettor must have the understanding that what appeared to be a poor first outing for Bello, was nothing more than a confidence builder for the 23-yr old.
The Sox have been a terrific team to lean on the road and we expect the Red Sox vs Rays Series Odds to reflect this. Overall the Sox are 24-19 record, good for a solid 566 units won away from Fenway.
Betting the Red Sox on the road has cashed tickets every season dating back to 2016. In that span, Boston is 267-209 (56.09%) while handing MLB players over 3,000 units of profit. More than half of those units won have been when they faced MLB teams with records over .500 (+1616 units).
MLB Betting Odds Usually Tell a Story
Oddsmakers trying to lead you down a path that will only put more money in the coffers of the casinos for which they work for Sharp handicappers will tell you that this opening number will be the oddsmakers’ way of leading you down a losing path in the MLB betting odds.
So much of winning is pure psychology and knowing which way the number will move based on a predictable public. In this case, the Sox just played a difficult series at home against New York and now they have to fly to Tampa to take on a Rays team that “needs” a win after being embarrassed by the Reds. The bookmakers give you just a little more with some plus money, and just like that, early betting has the public sinking money into the Ray’s moneyline and runline.
Anticipate Boston Getting Stronger Against AL East
The only reason Boston can’t see the Yankees in front of them is their inability to win inside the division. The Sox have dropped 20 of 31 against the AL East but its numbers have been much better since June 1st, winning 24 of 36 overall (+835 units). In that span as a favorite Boston is 16-6 (+468 units) and 13-6 on the road (+632 units). When the Sox are a favorite of -120 or less, Boston has won 7 of 9 (+428 units). Throw away what they were in April and May, Boston is the play against the Rays in this 4-game series.
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