The Boston Red Sox (7-8) wrap up their 3-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays (8-7) Sunday at Tropicana Field with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Red Sox vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series is tied 1-1. Boston took the series opener Friday 4-3 then Tampa evened the series Saturday with a 3-2 victory when Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier hit a 2-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th.
Red Sox at Rays projected starters
LHP Rich Hill vs. LHP Shane McClanahan
Hill (0-1, 7.29 ERA) lost his last outing 8-3 versus the Minnesota Twins Monday. He went 4 2/3 IP, allowing 4 ER on 6 H, 2 HR, 2 BB and 2 K.
- vs. Rays on current roster: 2.60 FIP with a .211 batting average (BA), .257 wOBA, .301 expected slugging percentage (xSLG), 34.1 K% and 83.8 mph exit velocity (EV) in 41 plate appearances (PA).
McClanahan (0-1, 2.40 ERA) got a no-decision in Tampa’s 4-2 win at the Chicago Cubs Monday. He went 6 IP, surrendering 1 ER on 4 H and 0 BB with 9 K.
- 2021 vs. Red Sox: 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA (16 IP, 5 ER), 15 H, 5 BB and 15 K in 3 starts.
- vs. Red Sox on current roster: 3.13 FIP with a .311 BA, .322 wOBA, .586 xSLG, 20.0 K% and 94.5 mph EV in 65 PA.
Red Sox at Rays odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:36 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Red Sox +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Rays -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox +1.5 (-150) | Rays -1.5 (+122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Red Sox at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Red Sox 1
Money line
LEAN RAYS (-180) since the implied win probability on that line is 64.3% and Tampa should win this game at least 70% of the time. But, I’m confident enough in the Rays to take their RL instead for a better payout.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
BET the RAYS -1.5 (+122) for 1 unit because they have edges in the three most important phases of baseball: Starting and relief pitching and hitting.
McClanahan has elite stuff and would be a top-2 starter in most rotations in MLB while the 18-year veteran Hill is definitely a back-of-the-rotation guy.
The Rays are missing a bunch of talented arms yet their bullpen still has a better xFIP, hard-hit rate, WHIP and K/BB rate than Boston’s bullpen.
Tampa’s lineup is fifth in wRC+ and seventh in wOBA versus left-handed pitching while Boston’s lineup ranks 18th and 15th in those respective categories.
BET RAYS -1.5 (+122).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 7.5 (-107) because Tropicana Field is one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball, McClanahan is an All-Star-caliber pitcher and the Red Sox-Rays series has played a lot more to the Under in recent meetings.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]