The Boston Red Sox (3-7) visit the Tampa Bay Rays (4-6) to start a new series Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. We analyze the Red Sox-Rays betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
The AL East clubs start this key intradivisional series while both sitting below .500.
Red Sox at Rays: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Nathan Eovaldi at RHP Charlie Morton
Eovaldi tangles with the team that arguably saved his MLB career, and he has given up just three earned runs in 11 innings so far (2.45 ERA), though he’s struck out just eight batters in that window.
- The righty holds a 4.40 ERA in nine outings (eight starts) at Tropicana Field, including 3.86 rate in 2018 when he split the season with Tampa Bay and Boston.
- Eovaldi had just three appearances against the Rays last year, but he allowed 13 hits and three walks in 7 2/3 innings against them, slipping to a 7.04 ERA.
Morton rebounded from his four-inning, six-run 2020 debut by posting a passable five-inning, two-run, seven-strikeout start last Wednesday.
- In 21 starts at the Trop, Morton has effectively held court with a 3.19 ERA in 21 starts, topped off with 175 strikeouts and just 33 walks over 127 innings.
- Morton was serviceable in five starts against Boston last year; his 3.90 ERA and 2.7 BB/9, a bit higher than his normal performance, but he struck out 35 batters in 30 innings.
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Red Sox at Rays: Key injuries
Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.
Red Sox
- 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) out
- SP Eduardo Rodriguez (COVID-19 complications) out
- SP Collin McHugh (elbow) out
- SP Chris Sale (elbow) out
Rays
- OF Manuel Margot (back) questionable
- OF Austin Meadows (COVID-19) out
Red Sox at Rays: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Rays 5, Red Sox 3
Moneyline (ML)
- Red Sox +125
- Rays -139
Despite the negligible profit on the line, I much prefer to back Morton, so I’ll BET the RAYS (-139).
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rays’ moneyline would return a profit of $7.19.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
- Red Sox +1 (-125)
- Rays -1 (+105)
Despite the lack of the half-run tacked onto the end of the run line, I’ll extend my confidence in Tampa Bay to the run line and BET the Rays -1 (+105).
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rays’ run line would return a profit of $11.50.
Over/Under (O/U)
- Over 8 (-110)
- Under 8 (-110)
No incentive to take either. PASS on the Over/Under.
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