<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Rays-Kike-Hernandez-Red-Sox-Rays-Red-Sox-ALCS.jpeg"></figure><h1>Kike Hernandez had talk to himself before walk-off at bat for Red Sox vs. Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-12T09:17:58-07:00">October 12th, 9:17am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-12T09:17:58-07:00">October 12th, 9:17am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In what turned out to be the opposite of what many had predicted, it was the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a> who took out the Tampa Bay Rays in their best-of-five ALDS matchup.</p><p>It was capped by a Kike Hernandez walk-off sacrifice fly in Game 4 on Monday night. <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32384820/walk-sacrifice-fly-kike-hernandez-propels-boston-red-sox-alcs">Per ESPN</a>, the utility player for the Red Sox had a conversation with himself before his big at bat.</p><blockquote>“I was just talking to myself,” Hernandez said. “You’re about to win this game, so you need to work on slowing everything down and slowing your breathing down and slowing the game down and starting early and making sure that you see the pitch, and you’re not just swinging at your shoes for no reasons for trying to be a hero.”</blockquote><p>The talk ended up working, as Hernandez walked off the series for the Red Sox to punch Boston’s ticket to the ALCS.</p><p>Boston started their postseason run with a one game, winner-take-all contest against the New York Yankees. They had no problems with The Bronx Bombers as they won the game 6-2. They carried that momentum into their series against Tampa Bay as the Red Sox took out the top-seeded Rays in just four games.</p><p>Next up, the Red Sox will face either the Houston Astros or Chicago White Sox in the ALCS. With Boston’s offense firing on all cylinders, they absolutely have what it takes to bring home another World Series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kike Hernandez had talk to himself before walk-off at bat for Red Sox vs. Rays

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rays-White-Sox-Rays-White-Sox-MLB-playoffs-ALDS.jpeg"></figure><h1>Kevin Kiermaier ‘can’t believe’ Rays got screwed on wild ground-rule double vs. Red Sox</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-11T06:44:42-07:00">October 11th, 6:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-11T06:44:42-07:00">October 11th, 6:44am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a wild and thrilling extra-innings affair in Game 3, it was the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox"> Boston Red Sox</a> who topped the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4. The result, however, didn’t come without controversy.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32378020/tampa-bay-rays-stung-controversial-ground-rule-double-alds-game-3-loss-boston-red-sox-heartbreaker">Per ESPN</a>, Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier couldn’t believe the ruling on his double in the 13th inning that ended up squandering an opportunity for Tampa Bay.</p><blockquote>“I can’t believe that happened or we don’t get the chance to score right there,” Kiermaier said. “For one, I crushed that ball. I was hoping to leave the yard. I got a lot of snap and crackle but no pop. First and foremost, for that to happen right there, it just doesn’t make sense to me.”</blockquote><p>In the top of the 13th inning with two outs and a full count, Kiermaier crushed a ball to deep right for the Rays. Yandy Diaz was off on the pitch given the circumstances of the count and there being two outs. The ball hit off the wall in right then off of Red Sox outfielder Hunter Renfroe before skipping over the wall. Diaz would’ve scored easily but instead, he had to go back to 3rd base as the play was deemed a ground-rule double. The Rays left both runners stranded and the Red Sox walked off in the bottom half of the 13th.</p><p>Rays manager Kevin Cash understood the ruling despite not necessarily agreeing with the rule itself.</p><blockquote>“That’s just the rule,” Cash said. “That’s the way it goes. It was very unfortunate for us. I think it was fairly obvious that [Kiermaier] or Yandy was going to come around to score, but it didn’t go our way.”</blockquote><p>The Red Sox lead the best-of-five series 2-1 over the Rays and Game 4 in Boston is set for Monday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Kiermaier ‘can’t believe’ Rays got screwed on wild ground-rule double vs. Red Sox

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/red-sox-news-alex-cora-drops-truth-bomb-on-chris-sales-game-2-outing-vs-rays.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox manager Alex Cora drops truth bomb on Chris Sale’s Game 2 outing vs. Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-09T12:39:16-07:00">October 9th, 12:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-09T22:20:06-07:00">October 9th, 10:20pm</time><address><a>Steve Zavala</a>Steve is a freelance writer covering the world of sports for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Chris Sale was called upon for the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays in what was his first postseason start since the 2018 World Series. Sale did not turn back the clock with a vintage performance but rather had an outing that he sure would like to forget.</p><p>Sale only completed a mere one inning against the Rays, as he allowed five earned runs and four hits through 30 pitches. The knockout blow for Sale was essentially the grand slam allowed to Jordan Luplow that opened up an early 5-2 lead for Tampa Bay.</p><p>Boston did pick up for him over the course of the game, as the offense posted a four-run fifth inning en route to a 14-6 comeback victory.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-GJ17WYMAU" rel="noopener">After the game</a>, Red Sox manager Alex Cora reflected on where it went wrong for Sale, as he gave credit to the Rays and their key situational hitting.</p><blockquote>“It’s a good-hitting team,” Cora said. “They took advantage of certain pitches, and they put some swings on it. Yandy goes the other way and then the grand slam on the fastball that was above the strike zone. Sometimes, teams game-plan on people and they do a good job with it. That 0-2 pitch was above the zone, and [Luplow] got to it.”</blockquote><p>Even after such a sluggish outing, Cora is not throwing in the towel on the seven-time All-Star. Cora did not hint at plans for Sale over the remainder of the series but simply made a note of his confidence that he will soon be able to turn it around.</p><blockquote>“We count on this guy,” Cora said. “He is going to be a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish. We’ll get him right.”</blockquote><p>It will be noteworthy to see whether Sale may be used once again in this series, such as in key situations out of the bullpen.</p><p>Success for Sale against the Rays may hinge on his fastball. Over his inning of work against Tampa Bay, he threw 13 fastballs and generated zero whiffs from them. More so, the inning-changing grand slam came off of a 94 mph fastball from the veteran pitcher.</p><p>The series now shifts to Fenway Park, where Nathan Eovaldi will earn the start <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox" rel="noopener">for</a> Boston in Game 3.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox manager Alex Cora drops truth bomb on Chris Sale’s Game 2 outing vs. Rays

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Alex-Verdugo.jpg"></figure><h1>Alex Verdugo’s reaction to huge Game 2 vs. Rays will have Red Sox fans hyped</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-09T11:40:16-07:00">October 9th, 11:40am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-09T11:42:59-07:00">October 9th, 11:42am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox rolled to a massive 14-6 victory in Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays to even up the series at one. The offense absolutely exploded, banging out 20 hits, with five different players registering three or more hits. Alex Verdugo was one of them, going 3-5 for with homer.</p><p>The former Dodger spoke out on his big game and <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1446857178179059721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1446857178179059721%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php">said something that will excite every single Red Sox fan out there</a> as this team looks to chase a World Series:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Coming up big in big moments. <a href="https://t.co/0t09lkmuu0" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/0t09lkmuu0</a></p><p>— Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1446857178179059721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 9, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Big players want the big moments and Verdugo is here for all of it. The 25-year-old came over to<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox/roster"> the Red Sox</a> last February in the Mookie Betts trade and has evidently found a home at Fenway. He hit .286 with 13 homers and 61 RBI’s this season for Boston as their everyday left fielder. Due to injuries, he never actually got the chance to play in the postseason with Los Angeles which means this is his first time in the heat of October.</p><p>Verdugo also came up big in the Wild Card game against the Yankees, going 2 for 4 with three RBI’s. Playoff baseball is clearly not intimidating the outfielder, who is proving to be a key piece of the Red Sox. He’ll be looking to keep swinging it as Boston returns to Fenway for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Alex Verdugo’s reaction to huge Game 2 vs. Rays will have Red Sox fans hyped

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Rays-Prediction-Red-Sox-Rays-Odds-Red-Sox-Rays-Pick-.jpeg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick, and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-08T09:33:47-07:00">October 8th, 9:33am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-08T09:52:30-07:00">October 8th, 9:52am</time><address><a>Zach Hood</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>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 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/betting/">MLB odds series</a> and make a Red Sox-Rays prediction and pick.</p><p>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).</p><p>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.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb" rel="noopener">bookmakers</a> have set the Red Sox-Rays odds for Sunday’s game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick, and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Alex-Cora-Eduardo-Rodriguez-MLB-playoffs-Red-Sox-Rays.jpeg"></figure><h1>Red Sox manager Alex Cora explains decision to remove Eduardo Rodriguez after 5 outs vs. Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-08T06:22:11-07:00">October 8th, 6:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-08T06:22:11-07:00">October 8th, 6:22am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Eduardo Rodriguez lasted just 1.2 innings for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a> in Game 1 of their ALDS series against the Tampa Bay Rays. While he yielded two runs along the way, it was a peculiar decision made by manager Alex Cora.</p><p>Following the 5-0 loss, Cora explained why he pulled the lefty for the Red Sox so early, <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/10/boston-red-soxs-alex-cora-explains-removing-eduardo-rodriguez-after-5-outs-we-had-to-contain-the-game.html">per Masslive.com</a>.</p><blockquote>“The way we were set up we felt like right there we had to contain the game,” Cora explained. “So G-Rich came in and got the out, and Nick (Pivetta) gave us quality innings. It’s not that we mapped it out that way. But we felt that with that lineup and the way they are, that was a moment that we had to stop it right there to get Randy out and then move forward. And we did.”</blockquote><p>For what it’s worth, Cora does note that it certainly wasn’t planned this way for the Red Sox and Garrett Richards did come in and record the final out of the second inning.</p><p>Rodriguez wasn’t surprised he was yanked so early knowing that the playoffs for the Red Sox are a different beast compared to the regular season.</p><blockquote>“My command wasn’t great at all on every pitch,” Rodriguez said. “So I’m not surprised (by Cora’s decision). This is the playoffs. And you’ve got to go out there and do your job. If you don’t do it, you’re coming out of the game.”</blockquote><p>The Red Sox will send Chris Sale to the mound on Friday in hopes of evening up the series at 1-1 before it heads back to Boston.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox manager Alex Cora explains decision to remove Eduardo Rodriguez after 5 outs vs. Rays

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Randy-Arozarena-goes-full-Javy-Baez-with-crazy-steal-of-home-plate.jpg"></figure><h1>Rays news: Randy Arozarena goes full Javy Baez with crazy steal of home plate</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-07T20:38:52-07:00">October 7th, 8:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-07T20:38:52-07:00">October 7th, 8:38pm</time><address><a>Gerard Samillano</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena made history in Game 1 of their American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, and he did it in spectacular fashion.</p><p>The Rays were already up 4-0 over the Red Sox during the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs already on the board, Arozarena made a bold play from third base, putting an exclamation point on the Rays success. (<a href="https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1446305992237633536">via Jomboy Media</a>)</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Randy Arozarena just stole home <a href="https://t.co/70ngP8Zo5T" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/70ngP8Zo5T</a></p><p>— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1446305992237633536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 8, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Out of all of the bases to steal, home plate is the hardest to steal. It’s a high-risk play that can make or break the inning for a team. The Rays were already up by 4. Barring an unforeseen collapse, they would likely cruise to an easy victory. But Randy Arozarena saw the opportunity, and he took advantage of it. He capitalized on Red Sox pitcher Josh Taylor’s hesitation and made a run for it. The result was a successful home steal for the Rays. It’s the first time it’s ever happened in the playoffs since 2016, when Javy Baez made this unbelievable play for the Cubs.</p><figure class="op-interactive"></figure><p>The Rays and the Red Sox have been on a roll entering <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2021-mlb-playoffs-4-bold-predictions-for-red-sox-vs-rays-alds-series/">this series</a>. The Rays, despite losing key players during the season such as ace pitcher Chris Sale, went ahead and got first place in the American League. The Red Sox, on the other hand, finished second, and are just coming off of a thrilling battle against the New York Yankees in the Wild Card match.</p><p>If this play is anything to go by, though, it seems like the first-place Rays have the upper hand. With Arozarena making bold plays like this, they look like the current favorites to win the series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays news: Randy Arozarena goes full Javy Baez with crazy steal of home plate

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Rays-Prediction-Pick-Odds.jpeg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS Game 1 prediction, odds, pick, and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-07T09:28:16-07:00">October 7th, 9:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-07T09:28:16-07:00">October 7th, 9:28am</time><address><a>Zach Hood</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS Game 1 prediction, odds, pick, and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-JD-Martinez-JD-Martinez-injury-MLB-playoffs-Red-Sox-Rays.jpeg"></figure><h1>JD Martinez’s status for Red Sox in ALDS vs Rays, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-07T08:34:27-07:00">October 7th, 8:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-07T08:34:27-07:00">October 7th, 8:34am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2021-mlb-playoffs-4-bold-predictions-for-red-sox-vs-rays-alds-series/">Boston Red Sox enter their ALDS series against the Tampa Bay Rays</a> riding high after knocking out the New York Yankees in the Wild Card game. They did so without one of their best hitters in JD Martinez. With the ALDS set to get rolling, Boston has decided that Martinez is healthy enough to at least be on the roster.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: J.D. Martinez is on the <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@RedSox</a> ALDS roster. <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@MLBNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@MLB</a></p><p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1446126700807344132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 7, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>While being on the roster and being in the lineup are two different things, this does provide some insight that the Red Sox are hopeful to have Martinez available in some capacity for their series against Tampa Bay.</p><p>Martinez injured his ankle in the regular season finale against the Washington Nationals <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/10/jd-martinez-injury-video-ankle-second-base-red-sox-roster-yankees-al-wild-card">in a bizarre situation</a>.</p><p>The slugger for the Red Sox was jogging out to his position in the outfield between innings and stepped on second base as he was making his way to the outfield. In doing so, he rolled his ankle and came out during the next half inning. The injury appears to be far worse than what was initially thought.</p><p>Without Martinez, the Red Sox still clipped the Yankees 6-2 in a one game, winner-take-all matchup on Tuesday but, the Rays are a different beast. After posting the best record in the American League and making the World Series a year ago, Tampa Bay is primed to make another run. Boston will need Martinez to be in the lineup if they want to optimize their chances.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

JD Martinez’s status for Red Sox in ALDS vs Rays, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-MLB-Playoffs-4-bold-predictions-for-Red-Sox-vs.jpeg"></figure><h1>2021 MLB Playoffs: 4 bold predictions for Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS series</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-06T12:42:18-07:00">October 6th, 12:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-06T12:42:18-07:00">October 6th, 12:42pm</time><address><a>Luke Shen</a>Luke is an undergraduate student at UCLA and writer for ClutchPoints. His first love was baseball, but he has since grown a love for all things SoCal sports (plus the Packers!). He was born and raised in Irvine. Go Bruins!</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It’s finally here. After the grind of the 162 game season, 19 head-to-head matchup, and an epic Red Sox-Yankees upset in front of the home crowd at Fenway for the Wild Card, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/tampa-bay-rays">Tampa Bay Rays</a> and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a> will meet for the American League Division Series, starting on Thursday.</p><p>The series is a tale of two underdogs – the Rays lost their two aces, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, for the year either due to injury or trade, and the Red Sox were seen to have virtually no pitching this year, even losing ace Chris Sale for the vast majority of the season. They blew through all expectations, though, as the Rays finished with the best record in the AL with 100 wins, while the Red Sox emerged in second in the gauntlet of the AL East, where 4 teams finished with 91+ wins.</p><p>During the regular season, the Rays won the season series against Boston, 11 games to 8. That all goes out the window in a short series with such high stakes, however, and we shouldn’t be surprised at anything in October baseball. With that being said, here are 4 bold predictions for the Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS series.</p><h2>4. Kyle Schwarber, Xander Bogaerts rake</h2><p>Schwarber and Bogaerts are capable of getting hotter than just about any hitter on the planet. Just earlier in the year, Schwarber hit 12 home runs in 10 games, which was part of a stretch where he hit 16 home runs in 18 games, both tying records for home runs within those respective amounts of games. Had he not been injured, Kyle easily could’ve led the NL, or the MLB, for that matter, in dingers. As for Bogaerts, he has been a Rays killer this season. He’s hitting .429 with two home runs against them season, and these two guys will carry the momentum over from their heroics in the Wild Card game (a home run each) into the ALDS.</p><h2>3. Shane McClanahan deals on the big stage</h2><p>McClanahan, a Tampa Bay top prospect, has had a great rookie campaign, as he went 10-6 with a 3.43 ERA over 25 starts, good for a 115 ERA+. Though Shane struggled after being brought up to make his MLB debut in the playoffs last season, he came through in a big way once called back up to the big leagues this year, as he went 8 innings over his first two starts, giving up only 2 runs while striking out 10. With one playoff series under his belt (and a scoreless inning in the World Series), he’s a rare case of a rookie already with playoff experience. Under the bright lights, he’ll lead the Rays to 2 wins in this series.</p><h2>2. Nathan Eovaldi delivers, Chris Sale doesn’t</h2><p>Nate Eovaldi had a huge Wild Card performance, going 5 and a third inning of 1-run ball against a fearsome Yankees lineup. He’s got a penchant for big playoff performances with a career 1.63 playoff ERA – most notably, his 6 innings of relief in 2018 World Series Game 3 sticks out. Unfortunately, however, he’ll probably only be able to give one full start this series. On the other hand, Chris Sale might be starting Game 1, but his health and performance are certainly in question. In his last start, he couldn’t even last three innings, as he game up two runs on over 60 pitches in 2.1 innings. Though he did strike out 7, this was a super important game, and he couldn’t come through. If the Red Sox want a chance, Sale will have to deliver. It looks as if that may not happen, though.</p><h2>1. Wander Franco wins series MVP, Rays advance</h2><p>Franco burst onto the MLB scene with much hype, but little success to start. He barely hit over the Mendoza line and offered little-to-no pop in the early going, but that all changed on July 25th, the start of a whopping 43 game on base streak, which <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/wander-franco-on-base-streak-ends#:~:text=Franco's%20on%2Dbase%20streak%20ended,%2C%E2%80%9D%20manager%20Kevin%20Cash%20said.">tied Frank Robinson</a> back in 1965 for the longest ever by a player 20 years of age or younger. The trait most special about Franco is that every coach who has come across him raves of his ability to adjust, to keep a level head through even the worst of downs, and not get fazed in the biggest moments. After having an average of exactly .200 through 20 games, he finished his 70-game season hitting .288/.347/.463, and primed to make himself a household name in the playoffs, just like Randy Arozarena did last year.</p><p>With X-factors like Franco, Arozarena, Mike Zunino, Brandon Lowe, and so much more depth behind them, the Rays are built for playoff success. They’ll come out on top in the ALDS.</p><p>PREDICTION: Rays win series over Red Sox, 3 games to 2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2021 MLB Playoffs: 4 bold predictions for Red Sox vs. Rays ALDS series

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rays-Yankees-Prediction-Rays-Yankees-Pick-Rays-Yankees-Odds.jpeg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Rays vs. Yankees prediction, odds, pick, and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-01T10:25:10-07:00">October 1st, 10:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-01T10:27:36-07:00">October 1st, 10:27am</time><address><a>Zach Hood</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees will battle this weekend, the final weekend of the MLB season. Nonetheless, it’s time to continue our MLB odds series by making a Rays-Yankees prediction and pick.</p><p>The Rays have already locked up the top record in the American League, while the Yankees have a little more work to do to nail down the top AL Wild Card spot to clinch a home game in the AL Wild Card game next week. For Tampa, Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.44 ERA) takes the mound, while Nestor Cortes (2-2, 2.85 ERA) takes the bump in New York Friday night for the Yankees.</p><p>Here’s how <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb" rel="noopener">sportsbooks</a> have set the Rays-Yankees odds.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Rays</b><b>-Yankees </b><b>Odds</b></h2><p><i><b>Watch MLB games LIVE with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">fuboTV (click for free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><p>Tampa Bay Rays ML (+108)</p><p>New York Yankees ML (-118)</p><p>Over 8.5 Runs (-115)</p><p>Under 8.5 Runs (-105)</p><h2><b>Why The Rays Could Win This Game</b></h2><p>Tampa’s pitching staff keeps them in most games. However, with seeding for the playoffs locked up already, they may decide to limit their high leverage guys this weekend in an effort to get them some rest ahead of the postseason. Still, the Rays have one of the most talented and well coached rosters in the game, boasted by their 98-61 record. The Rays are 46-32 on the road this season, and have the best overall run differential in the American League.</p><p>McClanahan has been a very solid starting pitching option for Tampa this season, collecting 138 strikeouts across 120 innings. He has 10 wins in 24 starts this season.</p><h2><b>Why The Yankees Could Win This Game</b></h2><p>The Yankees need this game. They are two games ahead of the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners in the AL Wild Card race, and they’ll need at least one more win to nail down a home game next week. They likely do not want to put off winning that game to later in the weekend, so tonight will be big.</p><p>Cortes has pitched in 21 games for New York this season, 13 of those being starts. He’s pitching 88 1/3 innings, racking up 98 strikeouts to just 25 walks. Giancarlo Stanton has been red hot at the plate for the Yankees, hitting .286 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI in the month of September. The Yankees are 45-33 at home this season, and have won 8 of their last 10 games overall.</p><h2><b>Final Rays-Yankees Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Yankees need this game more than the Rays. New York has been red hot, and they have a chance to nail down their wild card position with a win and a loss by either the Red Sox or the Mariners. The Bombers will be poised for a big night, and Cortes should be able give them some quality innings before the bullpen takes over. The Rays should have their eyes on next week’s ALDS, where they may be facing the Yankees again if New York is able to lock down a Wild Card spot and then win the AL Wild Card game.</p><p><b>FINAL RAYS-YANKEES PREDICTION &amp; PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES ML (-118)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Rays vs. Yankees prediction, odds, pick, and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/League-hands-down-suspensions-for-Blue-Jays-Rays-incident.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB hands down suspensions for Blue Jays-Rays incident</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T16:29:26-07:00">September 23rd, 4:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-25T10:49:51-07:00">September 25th, 10:49am</time><address><a>Steve Zavala</a>Steve is a freelance writer covering the world of sports for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As expected, Major League Baseball has elected to issue suspensions for what essentially cleared the benches during Wednesday’s game between Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.</p><p>MLB <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleAGlaser/status/1441170142625288193?s=20" rel="noopener">handed</a> out a three-game suspension and a fine to Blue Jays reliever Ryan Borucki for hitting Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier with a pitch during the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game. Borucki will appeal the multi-game suspension. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo was also fined for the incident and issued a mere one-game suspension.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MLB announces Blue Jays LHP Ryan Borucki has been suspended three games and fined for hitting Kevin Kiermaier with a pitch in the eighth inning of yesterday's game. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo also received a one-game suspension and a fine.</p><p>Borucki will appeal</p><p>— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleAGlaser/status/1441170142625288193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Tensions between the two teams have been brewing since Monday, when Kiermaier picked up a card belonging to Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk after being tagged out at home plate. The card contains key information on the Blue Jays’ pitching game plan against the Rays.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Blue Jays are not happy. </p><p>Last night in the 6th, Kevin Kiermaier slid into home plate and grabbed a card (video here). That card, I'm told, was from Alejandro Kirk's wrist band that fell out on the tag. </p><p>On the card: the Blue Jays' game plan on pitching to Rays' hitters. <a href="https://t.co/wjjuYd3Bhk" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/wjjuYd3Bhk</a></p><p>— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArashMadani/status/1440435706371788806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Toronto was far from pleased with Kiermaier electing to not give back the card, and thus, Borucki took matters into his own hands by hitting the center fielder with a pitch during Wednesday’s game between the two teams. Borucki was subsequently ejected from the game.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Monday, Kevin Kiermaier picked up a card with the Blue Jays game plan and the Rays reportedly refused to give it back.</p><p>Today, the Jays hit Kiermaier with a pitch and the benches cleared.</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@MLB</a>) <a href="https://t.co/FCfdgUJsTA" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/FCfdgUJsTA</a></p><p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1440806869619003392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Toronto manager Montoyo noted after the suspension was announced by MLB that it is simply time to “move on” from the incident.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I got suspended and we need to move on.” <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@BlueJays</a>’ Charlie Montoyo addresses his suspension after Ryan Borucki hit Rays' Kevin Kiermaier with a pitch during last night's game. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJaysOnSN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#BlueJaysOnSN</a> <a href="https://t.co/MsQI9NUOGl" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/MsQI9NUOGl</a></p><p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1441173040658739209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Blue Jays and Rays will not meet again in the regular season this year, but there is always a chance that the two can meet come postseason time. Tampa Bay is on the verge of clinching yet another AL East title, while Toronto <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/toronto-blue-jays" rel="noopener">currently</a> sits at a mere 0.5 games back of the New York Yankees for the second wild-card spot in the AL.</p><p>After years of being apparent friendly rivals with each other in the AL East, this has all changed now following this ‘card stealing’ incident.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB hands down suspensions for Blue Jays-Rays incident

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/rays-news-kevin-kiermaier-pissed-at-blue-jays-for-hitting-him-as-scouting-card-drama-continues.jpg"></figure><h1>Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier pissed at Blue Jays for hitting him as scouting card drama continues</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T09:04:12-07:00">September 23rd, 9:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T09:05:08-07:00">September 23rd, 9:05am</time><address><a>Jason Patt</a>Jason Patt has been an editor at ClutchPoints since 2018. He also covers the Bulls for Forbes and SB Nation's Blog a Bull. In addition, he co-hosts Cash Considerations: A Chicago Bulls Podcast for the Blue Wire Network. If you couldn't tell, he's from Chicago.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Earlier this week, Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo claimed the mishap involving Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and a stolen scouting card was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blue-jays-news-charlie-montoyo-claims-rays-theft-data-card-agua-under-the-bridge/" rel="noopener">“agua under the bridge.”</a> Then Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Borucki hit Kiermaier in the series finale on Wednesday, sparking a whole new round of drama.</p><p>For one, Kiermaier was super mad, saying the plunking was “intentional,” <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32258691/tampa-bay-rays-cf-kevin-kiermaier-shocked-reaction-taking-scouting-card" rel="noopener">per ESPN:</a></p><blockquote>“Oh yeah, it was intentional,” Kiermaier said of Borucki, who hit him with his first pitch in the eighth during the Rays’ <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401229335">7-1 victory</a>, which clinched a postseason berth.“Pretty much almost went behind me,” Kiermaier said. “I thought it was a weak move, to be quite honest. It’s over. It didn’t hurt by any means, so I don’t care. Whatever. We move on. We got a series win, and I hope we play those guys, I really do.”</blockquote><p>Burucki and Montoyo both claimed it wasn’t intentional, but that seems a bit hard to believe given the circumstances.</p><p>The Blue Jays were initially upset after Kiermaier took one of their scouting cards back to the dugout after it fell out of catcher’s Alejandro Kirk’s wristband on a play at the plate on Monday. Kiermaier initially thought it was his own card and gave it to the Rays’ field coordinator, though he says he then realized it wasn’t his and didn’t look at it. However, the Rays didn’t give the card back, which irked Toronto.</p><p>And then just when it seemed like the two teams had moved past this drama, the fireworks erupted again on Thursday. After this, Kiermaier would love to see the Blue Jays in the playoffs. Tampa is set to win the AL East, but Toronto is in a tight race for an AL Wild Card spot. This would be a fun playoff matchup given these rising tensions.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier pissed at Blue Jays for hitting him as scouting card drama continues

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/blue-jays-news-charlie-montoyo-claims-rays-theft-of-data-card-is-aqua-under-the-bridge_copy.jpg"></figure><h1>Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo claims Rays’ theft of data card is ‘agua under the bridge’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T06:32:30-07:00">September 22nd, 6:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T06:34:34-07:00">September 22nd, 6:34am</time><address><a>Jason Patt</a>Jason Patt has been an editor at ClutchPoints since 2018. He also covers the Bulls for Forbes and SB Nation's Blog a Bull. In addition, he co-hosts Cash Considerations: A Chicago Bulls Podcast for the Blue Wire Network. If you couldn't tell, he's from Chicago.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Toronto Blue Jays weren’t happy when Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier nabbed a data card that fell loose from Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk’s wristband after a play at the plate on Monday. Kiermaier took the card back to the dugout, and it wasn’t given back when Toronto sent a bat boy to retrieve it.</p><p>Kiermaier and Rays manager Kevin Cash both initially claimed ignorance of the situation, but it seems things have been smoothed over between the two clubs. Cash went to Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo to apologize for what happened, and Montoyo says it’s all “agua under the bridge now” and that it’s time to move on, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32253731/tampa-bay-rays-outfielder-kevin-kiermaier-adds-more-drama-burgeoning-rivalry-takes-toronto-blue-jays-data-card-home-plate" rel="noopener">per ESPN.</a></p><p>While this had to be frustrating for the Blue Jays, they certainly have bigger things to worry about right now. They’re currently in the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/standings" rel="noopener">thick of a playoff chase</a> and battling with two other teams from the AL East. The Boston Red Sox currently hold the first AL Wild Card spot, but Toronto is just 1.5 games behind. The New York Yankees are a half-game behind the Blue Jays for that second Al Wild Card spot, so things are intense right now in the final weeks of the 2021 MLB season.</p><p>Toronto surely could have some concerns about Tampa using that card to its advantage in the series finale on Wednesday, and perhaps in a potential playoff meeting down the line. But the Blue Jays can’t dwell on it. As Montoyo says, it needs to be “agua under the bridge” as the team focuses on trying to secure this postseason berth.</p><p>As for the Rays, they’re comfortably in first place in the AL East with a six-game lead over Boston. Tampa is in line to clinch the division any day now as the regular season comes to a close.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo claims Rays’ theft of data card is ‘agua under the bridge’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mlb-odds-blue-jays-vs-rays-prediction-odds-pick-and-more-9-20-2021-write-and-publish-on-9-20.jpeg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Blue Jays vs. Rays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/20/2021</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-20T13:00:19-07:00">September 20th, 1:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-20T13:02:50-07:00">September 20th, 1:02pm</time><address><a>Agustin Legido</a>Agustin Legido has been covering collegiate and professional sports since 2016. He is currently pursuing his masters degree in Sport Business, concentrating in analytics. Agustin's goal is to break down complicated data and trends into a language that is comprehensible for all sports bettors and fanatics. His favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Toronto Blue Jays will continue their postseason push on Monday when they face off against the Tampa Bay Rays. With just two weeks of regular-season baseball left, Toronto remains in the middle of a heated AL East race with an 83-65 overall record. The Jays won the last meeting 6-3 against the Rays. Toronto will embark on a seven-game road series before returning home for their final two season series. It’s time to continue <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-odds-mariners-vs-athletics-prediction-odds-pick-and-more-9-20-2021/">our MLB odds series</a> and make a Blue Jays-Rays prediction &amp; pick.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb">bookmakers</a> have set the odds:</p><h2>MLB Odds: Blue Jays-Rays Odds</h2><p>Toronto Blue Jays: -129<br>Tampa Bay Rays: +119<br>Over: 7.5 (-125)<br>Under: 7.5 (+105)</p><p>*<i><b>Watch MLB Games Live with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408">fuboTV(click for a free trial)</a></b></i></p><h2>Why the Blue Jays Could Win</h2><p>Over their last ten games, the Toronto Blue Jays are 7-3 with a .301 batting average while outscoring opponents by 32 runs. They are coming off a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, where Toronto won their final two games at home. Before this series, the Rays visited Toronto and dropped two games against the Blue Jays. Robbie Ray pitched a phenomenal game in his last outing, holding the Rays to one run on six hits in seven innings while striking out 13 batters. Ray picked up his 12th win of the season and will look to repeat his performance tonight when he takes the mound.</p><p>This season, Robbie Ray has posted the lowest ERA of his career. He has struck out 11.83 batters per nine innings of work and walked a career-low 2.23 batters per nine this season.</p><p>The Blue Jays left-hander has taken the hill versus the Rays five times this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.85 ERA. Currently, the Rays hitters are batting a slim .170 average in 159 plate appearances off of Ray heading into Monday’s game. Toronto is 4-0 in their last four Monday games and 9-1 in their previous ten games on the road.</p><h2>Why the Rays Could Win</h2><p>Tampa Bay is coming off a four-game homestand versus the Detroit Tigers in which both teams split the series. The Rays hold a 92-58 record and are currently in first place in the AL East. They will counter the Blue Jays with Shane Baz in his Major League debut.</p><p>The Rays offense is one of the best, averaging 5.31 runs per game which is the 2nd highest in the MLB. Joey Wendle leads the club in batting average (.271) as Brandon Lowe leads with 34 home runs, and Austin Meadows has a total of 100 RBIs. Further, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena are two other critical pieces to the offense totaling 110+ hits and 65 RBIs on the season. The Rays are 10-3 in their last 13 in game one of a series and 41-15 in their last 56 games versus the AL East.</p><h2>Final Blue Jays-Rays Prediction &amp; Pick</h2><p>In his last start, Robbie Ray had a spectacular performance against the Tampa Bay Rays and has double-digit strikeouts in five of his previous six outings. This series should be high-scoring as both teams have high-octane offenses. With that being said, the Rays are only 1-4 in their last five games versus a left-handed starter. Tampa struggled to score runs against Detroit and may not produce as many runs against a much better team in Toronto. Take the Jays in game one on the road.</p><p><b>Final Blue Jays-Rays Prediction &amp; Pick: Toronto Blue Jays ML</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Blue Jays vs. Rays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/20/2021

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mlb-odds-tigers-vs-rays-prediction-odds-pick-and-more-9-16-2021-write-and-publish-on-9-16.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Tigers vs. Rays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/16/2021</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-16T10:18:51-07:00">September 16th, 10:18am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-16T10:19:52-07:00">September 16th, 10:19am</time><address><a>Ezra Bernstein</a>Ezra lives in Los Angeles, California. He is an avid Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers fan. Ezra currently attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Tigers will take on the Tampa Bay Rays to kick off a four-game series on Thursday. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Tigers-Rays prediction and pick.</p><p>These squads played a three-game set less than a week ago, with Detroit surprising everyone and taking two games out of three. The Rays will look to avenge those losses while stretching their lead in the AL East in this series. Tampa Bay is essentially a lock for the playoffs already, but the division is filled with elite teams. A couple of wins here to extend their lead should give the Rays a little bit more confidence as the season enters its final stages.</p><p>The Tigers would love to play some spoiler to one of the best teams in baseball in this series, so expect this to remain competitive.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb">bookmakers</a> have set the lines for Thursday’s game.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Tigers-Rays Odds</b></h2><p><i><b>*Watch MLB games LIVE with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">fuboTV (click for free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><p>Detroit Tigers +1 1/2 (-110)</p><p>Tampa Bay Rays -1 1/2 (-110)</p><p>Over 8 1/2 runs (-107)</p><p>Under 8 1/2 runs (-113)</p><h2><b>Why The Tigers Could Cover The Spread</b></h2><p>The Rays will be pitching a bullpen game in this one, something that automatically helps Detroit’s case. Helping the Tigers even more is the fact that Tampa Bay is playing a seventh straight day in a row. Over the last three contests, the Rays deployed their bullpen for 11 1/3 innings. This relief corps has been used often recently, and the fatigue from past games should give the Tigers an advantage.</p><p>Detroit will entrust Thursday’s start to Tyler Alexander. Alexander started the year as a reliever, but his appearances as a starter have been good enough to inspire some confidence. His stats in his last seven games have been especially strong, as Alexander has posted a 2.79 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He has also already faced the Rays once this season, pitching four innings and allowing only one run. Alexander has been far from perfect, but he’s steady enough to give the Tigers a reasonable chance of covering in this game.</p><h2><b>Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread</b></h2><p>If Tampa Bay covers in this game, the offense will almost certainly be the reason why. The Rays aren’t known as one of the best offensive teams in the league, but their hitters have been on a hot streak lately. This lineup has earned a .251 batting average in September, making this one of their best months at the plate.</p><p>Alexander may have had success against Tampa Bay in the past, but there are several reasons to believe that will change on Thursday. The Rays are slightly better offensively when they face a right-handed pitcher, earning a higher OPS, OBP, and slugging percentage against righties as opposed to lefties. Alexander also allows a barrel percentage of 9.9% and a hard-hit percentage of 40.4%, two below-average numbers. The Rays have seven hitters who barrel the ball up at a high rate, with a similar number of players earning an above-average hard-hit percentage. This matchup isn’t a good one for Alexander. Expect Tampa Bay to hit for power the entire time Alexander is on the mound.</p><h2><b>Final Tigers-Rays Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Rays should obviously win this game, but the spread complicates things. The bullpen game aspect makes it hard to trust Tampa’s pitching, but Detroit’s situation isn’t all that much better. With all of those factors in consideration, the over turns into the best pick on the board. It may take until late in the game, but these teams should combine for nine runs or more fairly easily.</p><p>FINAL PICK: Over 8 1/2 runs (-107)</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Tigers vs. Rays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/16/2021

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rays-Blue-Jays-prediction-Rays-Blue-Jays-odds-Rays-Blue-Jays-pick-Rays-Blue-Jays-MLB-odds.jpeg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Rays vs. Blue Jays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/13/2021</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-13T10:19:01-07:00">September 13th, 10:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-13T10:19:01-07:00">September 13th, 10:19am</time><address><a>Ezra Bernstein</a>Ezra lives in Los Angeles, California. He is an avid Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers fan. Ezra currently attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series on Monday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Rays-Blue Jays prediction and pick.</p><p>This series will go a long way in deciding the winner of the AL East. The Rays are the current leader, holding a nine-game lead over the second-place Blue Jays. A couple of wins here will essentially lock up the division title for Tampa Bay and force Toronto to hope for a wild card spot. The Blue Jays have actually taken a wild card spot from the rival New York Yankees, but they only lead New York by one game. A series win would be huge for both teams, so expect to see some incredibly competitive baseball starting on Monday night.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb/game/489746877">bookmakers</a> have set the lines for Monday’s game.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Rays-Blue Jays Odds</b></h2><p><i><b>*Watch MLB games LIVE with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">fuboTV (click for free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><p>Tampa Bay Rays ML (+118)</p><p>Toronto Blue Jays ML (-128)</p><p>Over 9 runs (-112)</p><p>Under 9 runs (-108)</p><h2><b>Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread</b></h2><p>Throughout the season, Tampa Bay’s offensive numbers haven’t been particularly impressive. However, the Rays have managed to turn things around at the plate in the last couple of weeks. Their team batting average in September is a whopping .276. Tampa Bay’s OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage are all the highest they’ve ever been over the last two weeks. The Rays are catching fire at the right time, and Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah will find that out the hard way.</p><p>Manoah had a stretch of incredible starts earlier in the season, but it’s safe to say that that has come to an end. Over his last seven appearances, the righty has earned a 5.26 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Those numbers aren’t great, and they aren’t the only statistics that help the Rays in this one. Tampa Bay has been better against right-handed pitchers than lefties, earning a higher OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage against righties. The Rays also perform better offensively when they play on the road. All of their major batting stats improve when they’re away from Tropicana Field.</p><h2><b>Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread</b></h2><p>The Rays have announced that Collin McHugh will start on Monday night in what will be a bullpen game. McHugh has been one of the Rays’ best relievers, but he almost never pitches for more than a couple of innings. After McHugh’s exit, the Blue Jays will get to face a Tampa Bay bullpen that has been depleted by injury. The Rays have also relied on their bullpen heavily in the last three games, so fatigue will be a factor. This should be a good day for Toronto’s elite offense.</p><p>This game is also a great chance for Manoah to get back on track. The young starter has already faced the Rays twice this season, pitching a combined 10 innings while only allowing two runs over that span. Manoah also has the advantage of playing at home, where he’s been significantly better all season long. The righty’s ERA drops from 4.34 on the road to 2.97 at home, with most of his other stats following suit and improving. This matchup isn’t nearly as bad as it seems for Manoah.</p><h2><b>Final Rays-Blue Jays Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>Both teams have some things going for them heading into Monday’s game, but it’s hard to pick either one of them confidently. Instead, the over is the best selection. Asking any bullpen for nine innings of work against the Blue Jays is asking a ton, and Manoah has been ice-cold lately. The Blue Jays are the next-best pick.</p><p>FINAL PICK: Over 9 runs (-112)</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Rays vs. Blue Jays prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/13/2021

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rays-Josh-Lowe.jpeg"></figure><h1>Rays making move on top prospect Josh Lowe</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-08T06:28:15-07:00">September 8th, 6:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-08T06:28:15-07:00">September 8th, 6:28am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Tampa Bay Rays try to close in on the American League East crown and the top spot in the AL, they will do so with another bat in the mix.</p><p>On Wednesday, it was announced that the Rays will be calling up their top prospect in Josh Lowe. <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32170368/sources-tampa-bay-rays-call-prospect-josh-lowe">Per ESPN</a>, Lowe has had an incredible year in the minor leagues.</p><blockquote>The 6-foot-4 Lowe is enjoying an outstanding season at Triple-A Durham, batting .282 with 21 home runs, 73 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 98 games.Lowe has played all three outfield positions this season for Durham, but it is unclear where he will play for the first-place Rays, whose talented and deep outfield already includes Randy Arozarena, Austin Meadows, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot, Brett Phillips and Jordan Luplow.</blockquote><p>It is an already loaded outfield for Tampa Bay and Nelson Cruz holds down the designated hitter spot in the lineup for the Rays. There’s always a method to the madness in Tampa Bay though, and calling up Lowe likely means they will carve out some sort of role for him with the playoffs looming.</p><p>Tampa Bay is currently 88-51. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/standings">They are 9.5 games clear of the second-place New York Yankees</a> in the division and they also lead the race for the top spot in the AL by 6.5 games over the Houston Astros.</p><p>The Rays came up just short a year ago, losing in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their goal this year is clear and it’s to get back to the Fall Classic and then win it this time around. Lowe will hope to have a say in the matter.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rays making move on top prospect Josh Lowe

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rays-vs.-Red-Sox-prediction-odds-pick-and-more.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Rays vs. Red Sox prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/7/2021</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-07T07:18:59-07:00">September 7th, 7:18am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-07T07:20:20-07:00">September 7th, 7:20am</time><address><a>Alex Horowitz</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox play the second game of a three game series at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Rays-Red Sox prediction and pick.</p><p>Tampa Bay won a wild one on Monday night, erasing a 6-0 deficit to win 11-10. The Rays now lead Boston by nine games in the AL East, after the Red Sox had lead the division for much of the first half of this season.</p><p> However, Boston still remains in the thick of the Wild Card race, with a three-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. The Oakland Athletics are lurking 3.5 games back, so the Red Sox need to figure things out in order to hold their spot.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb">bookmakers</a> have set the lines for Tuesday’s matchup.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Rays-Red Sox Odds</b></h2><p>Tampa Bay Rays ML (-104)</p><p>Boston Red Sox ML (-106)</p><p>Over 9 1/2 runs (-108)</p><p>Under 9 1/2 runs (-112)</p><p><b><i>*Watch MLB games LIVE with </i><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408"><i>fuboTV (Click for free trial)</i></a><i>*</i></b></p><h2><b>Why The Rays Could Win</b></h2><p>Drew Rasmussen has been one of the best surprises for the Rays this season, going from a relief arm to a starter. While he doesn’t pitch many innings per start, he gets the job done. In four starts since Aug. 12, Rasmussen has a 1.59 ERA in 17 innings pitched. Two of those starts were against Boston; he pitched four innings and allowed one run in both games. If Rasmussen can replicate these performances, he should be able to limit this Red Sox offense just enough in time for the bullpen to shut the door and finish the victory for Tampa Bay. As a whole, the Rays are clearly the AL’s best team and should be more than -104 against a Red Sox team that does not have their number for the most part.</p><h2><b>Why The Red Sox Could Win</b></h2><p>Eduardo Rodriguez’s last start was against the Rays, and it was one of his best starts of 2o21. Rodriguez pitched six innings, allowing four hits, no runs, and a walk. He also struck out six batters. He has won four of his last five decisions after a productive August that saw him post a 3.33 ERA over five starts in the month. The Red Sox split a four-game set with the Rays in late August/early September, so they’ve proven they can beat a dominant team like this. If Rodriguez can build off his impressive last start and the offense can get off to another hot start as they did on Monday (six runs in the first inning), the Sox can win this game by a score of something like 5-4.</p><h2><b>Final Rays-Red Sox Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>After a Monday meltdown, the Red Sox recompose themselves and pick up a much-needed victory in the second game of the series. I don’t see the Rays winning this one after exerting so much energy in their 11-10 comeback win on Labor Day. Rodriguez throws another quality start as Boston ties the series up at 1-1 heading into Wednesday’s rubber match.</p><p>FINAL PICK: Red Sox ML  (-106)</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Rays vs. Red Sox prediction, odds, pick, and more – 9/7/2021

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Austin-Meadows-ties-game-vs-Red-Sox-after-misplay-by-Alex-Verdugo.jpeg"></figure><h1>Rays’ Austin Meadows ties game vs Red Sox after misplay by Alex Verdugo</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-06T14:37:08-07:00">September 6th, 2:37pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-06T14:45:03-07:00">September 6th, 2:45pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a>Matthew Wadleigh was born and raised in Oceanside and resides in Fresno. He lives with his wife and two dogs. He is a huge Southern California sports fan and a retired member of the Fresno State drumline.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Monday’s game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays has been an absolute mess, to be honest. The Red Sox scores seven runs combined in the first two innings and seemed well in control. However, Rays slugger Nelson Cruz hit an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/rays-news-nelson-cruz-hits-absurd-inside-the-park-grand-slam-vs-red-sox/">inside-the-park grand slam</a> after Alex Verdugo misplayed the ball, and suddenly the score was 7-5.</p><p>Then came the top of the ninth inning, and the Rays down by one. Austin Meadows stepped up and, well, believe it or not, Alex Verdugo was the cause of yet <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1434990255250214912">ANOTHER inside the park home run</a>. You can’t make this stuff up.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">An inside-the-park homer to tie it in the 9th!! 😱 <a href="https://t.co/aOWe8swjdz" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/aOWe8swjdz</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1434990255250214912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 6, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Verdugo nearly caught the ball at the wall, but Meadows was in a full sprint and the Red Sox suddenly went from up 7-0 to a tie game and headed to extra innings.</p><p>What a wild afternoon at Fenway Park, and not one, but two inside-the-park home runs off the bats of Rays players, who leads the American League in record and have the second-best mark in the entire MLB.</p><p>If the Rays can finish this off, it will be a gigantic collapse for the Red Sox, and Alex Verdugo might have some angry fans after displaying a pair of balls on Monday’s game, especially against a division rival, at home, of all places.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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