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The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox will conclude a three-game set at Tropicana Field on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Rays prediction and pick.
We have a rubber match on our hands as Boston took the opener and Tampa Bay bounced back with a win of its own on Wednesday. The offenses came to play in this series, with these clubs combining to score 24 runs through the first two games. The Red Sox and Rays are separated by just a half-game in the AL East, which puts even more of an emphasis on this Thursday night game in June.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Red Sox-Rays odds.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Rays Odds
Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-178)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+158)
Over 9 Runs (-110)
Under 9 Runs (-110)
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Red Sox have been in great form this season and currently lead the way in the AL East. Boston's record is 44-30 for the season despite losses in three of the last five games. With that being said, the Red Sox have been taking care of business against the Rays, with wins in five of their last six head-to-head matchups against the division rival.
Boston has been absolutely crushing the ball, currently averaging 5.04 runs per game this season. They average the third-most runs and hits per game in the majors. Their formula for success over the past week has been to out-hit their opponents. The Red Sox scored at least seven runs in their last four wins. The pitching staff hasn't done them many favors lately, though, and is currently allowing 4.61 runs per game on the season.
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Boston will turn to right-hander Nick Pivetta for the rubber match. Pivetta is currently 6-3 with a 4.36 ERA and 86 strikeouts through 14 starts. He was throwing well in his last start on Friday, but a three-run homer ultimately cost him the game. The Boston right-hander allowed six home runs over his past three starts.
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
The Rays finally put an end to their grueling seven-game losing streak with a win in Wednesday's affair. They are now second in the AL East at 44-31 and will be searching for some momentum in this rubber match with the first-place Red Sox. The Rays are grateful to be playing at home, as they are 9-2 in their last 11 games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay's offensive production has actually been somewhat of a pleasant surprise this season. The Rays have averaged 4.88 runs per game, which is the seventh-best mark in the majors. They put up 13 runs over the first two games of this series and will look to build on that level of production. Tampa Bay typically knows what it's going to get form a top-10 pitching staff as well.
The Rays will turn to right-hander Michael Wacha for the rubber match. Wacha has struggled this season with a 1-2 record and 5.19 ERA through 12 starts. The tall right-hander has been really falling off with a 7.13 ERA over his past seven starts to date. Wacha allowed five runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners in his most recent start.
Final Red Sox-Rays Prediction & Pick
I don't see the scoring trend coming to a halt in the series finale, as these teams have been crushing the ball through the first two games. We have two of the best offenses going head-to-head and two pitchers who can't seem to stop anyone right now. The total went over in five of both team's last seven games.
FINAL PICK: Over 9 Runs (-110)
