The Boston Red Sox (44-29) and Tampa Bay Rays (43-31) play the second of a three-game set Wednesday with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Tropicana Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Red Sox vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Garrett Richards is the projected starting pitcher for the Red Sox. He is 4-4 with a 4.36 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 74 1/3 IP over 14 starts.
Richards has been shaky lately allowing 10 runs (eight earned) with 18 hits in just 9 1/3 innings across his past two outings, and he hasn’t won in five starts dating back to May 19 in Toronto.
LHP Rich Hill is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. He is 5-2 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 71 2/3 IP over 14 starts.
Hill has been equally giving lately yielding eight runs with 10 hits in 9 2/3 innings across his past two starts. However, both games were no-decisions, and he hasn’t lost in four starts dating back to May 25.
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Red Sox at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Red Sox +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rays -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Red Sox +1.5 (-155) | Rays -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Prediction
Rays 6, Red Sox 4
Money line (ML)
RAYS (-155) were dropped in extra innings Tuesday spoiling the debut of top prospect Wander Franco. He did swat a three-run homer, however. He will look to continue his hot start against the very giving Richards in what should be a higher-scoring game in favor of the home side.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The RAYS -1.5 (+125) are skidding – losers of seven in a row. They haven’t won since June 14, but when they win, they win by at least two. In 12 of their past 13 victories, since May 26, they have won by two or more runs. Look for the offense to perform well against Richards backing Hill for a much-needed win.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean, ever so slightly. We had a total of 14 runs in the series opener Tuesday for an easy Over making Boston a perfect 5-for-5 on the Over in the past five as a road underdog.
The Over is also 12-5-1 in the past 18 meetings in St. Petersburg, Fla., between these teams and 19-6-2 in the past 27 overall in this series.
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