The Tampa Bay Rays (11-0) look to extend their winning streak to 12 games when they host the Boston Red Sox (5-6) at Tropicana Field Wednesday. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 2-0
The Red Sox have dropped the first 2 games of this 4-game series, sinking their record below .500 after sweeping the Detroit Tigers in a 3-game series over the weekend. They put up 24 total runs against the Tigers but have plated just 2 runs against Tampa Bay. Boston still ranks 7th in total runs scored (61) but the pitching staff has struggled and is one of 3 times with zero quality starts.
The Rays are tied for the 3rd-longest winning streak to start the season in the history of MLB, going a perfect 11-0 to tie the 1981 Oakland Athletics and trailing the 1982 Atlanta Braves and 1987 Milwaukee Brewers with 13 wins. Tampa Bay leads the AL East by 4 games, has scored the most runs (83) in baseball, owns the lowest ERA (1.73) and are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most quality starts (7).
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Red Sox at Rays projected starters
LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Taj Bradley
Sale (1-0, 11.25 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 2.00 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9 and 14.6 K/9 through 8 IP.
- The Red Sox won both of Sale’s starts this season despite him allowing 3 ER in 5 IP last time out and 7 ER in just 3 IP in his season debut
- Is 10-6 with a 2.82 ERA in 21 starts and 2 relief appearances in his career vs. the Rays
Bradley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 1st career start.
- Is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA over 2 starts at AAA-Durham to start the season
- Struck out 8 batters in 7 innings at Triple-A this season.
Red Sox at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Red Sox +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rays -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox +1.5 (-190) | Rays -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Red Sox at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Red Sox 3
Moneyline
The Rays haven’t just been winning, they’ve been blowing opponents out. Boston’s pitching staff has struggled out of the gates and now the lineup is without OF Adam Duvall, who suffered an injured wrist Sunday and has been placed on the 10-day IL.
The Rays are still at home where they’re 8-0 so far this season and I expect their winning streak to extend to 12 games. BET RAYS (-125).
Run line/Against the spread
Ten of the Rays’ 11 wins have been by at least 4 runs. The only game they won by fewer than 4 runs was a 1-0 victory in the series opener Monday.
The lineup is simply too good right now and even with a rookie making his MLB debut, I expect them to cover the run line against Boston with a strong bullpen behind Bradley. BET RAYS -1.5 (+155).
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Over/Under
The Over is 7-3-1 for the Rays and is 7-4 for the Red Sox. Boston could get to Bradley early and plate a few runs against him before he gets pulled and I don’t see the Rays’ lineup having much trouble given Sale’s struggles.
BET OVER 8.5 (-110).
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