The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will continue the ALDS Friday night with the Rays taking a 1-0 series lead on Thursday. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Rays prediction and pick.
Tampa Bay shutout the Red Sox 5-0 in Game 1 on Thursday, with Shane McClanahan giving the Rays five shutout innings in the win. The Red Sox had nine hits, leaving eight of those men on base in the shutout loss. Boston will now look to rebound and avoid falling into an 0-2 hole before heading back to Fenway Park for Game 3 and Game 4 (if necessary).
Chris Sale (5-1, 3.16 ERA) will take on Shane Baz (2-0, 2.03 ERA) will face off in what is a near must-win for the Red Sox.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Red Sox-Rays odds for Sunday’s game.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Rays Odds
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Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-168), +126 ML
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+148), -136 ML
Over 7.5 runs (+100)
Under 7.5 runs (-120)
Why the Red Sox can win this game
Sale has essentially been himself in nine starts since returning from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for over a year. The lefty was effective down the stretch of the season for the Red Sox, picking up five wins and racking up 52 strikeouts in 42 innings across nine starts. Sale has the ability to keep the Red Sox in any game, and Boston's offense is due to put some runs on the board after being shutout in Game 1. Game 2 should be a tightly played contest, and the Red Sox are the underdog still. Taking the odds when Boston has a great shot to be right in this game might not be the worst play.
Why the Rays can win this game
Tampa sticks to their unconventional ways by starting Baz in Game 2. Baz started just three games all season for the Rays, but racked up 113 strikeouts in 78 minor league innings this season. He has real swing and miss stuff, stuff that played up when he did make his big league debut on Sept. 20. Baz had 18 strikeouts to just three walks in 13.1 innings across three starts late in the season for the Rays. If Baz can replicate that Friday night, the Rays should be in good shape for a chance to win again in Game 2.
Final Red Sox-Rays Prediction & Pick
Runs might be hard to come by in this game with two strikeout pitchers on the bump. Which way this game goes will likely depend on which team is able to break through and put a crooked number on the board. The under is a popular play in games like this, as the pitchers might be in position to dominate this game like they often do in the postseason. Take the under on runs and root for a pitcher's duel in Tampa tonight.
Final Red Sox-Rays pick: Under 7.5 runs (-120)
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