Rays vs. Red Sox Prediction
American League East rivals clash at Fenway Park this weekend when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox. Will the Red Sox take Game 1 tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET when Pomeranz toes the rubber?
Game Snapshot & Odds
971 Tampa Bay Rays (+150) at 972 Boston Red Sox (-160); 8.5 runs
Friday, April 27, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Petco Park
TV: TB (FS Sun); BOS (NESN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Red Sox as a -160 favorite. As of this writing, 70% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Rays on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Rays’ Snell off to a good start in 2018
Blake Snell surrendered one run on five hits over seven innings Saturday’s 10-1 win over the Twins. Snell struck out six without issuing a walk in the crisp win. He finished his early evening’s work having thrown an even 100 pitches, 68 of those for strikes. A Miguel Sano sacrifice fly in the first inning served as the lone damage to the scoreboard on his watch, though he did have a touch-and-go moment late in his outing, as he had to work around a leadoff double from Robbie Grossman in the seventh inning.
The Rays were holding a 2-1 lead at the time. He survived, and will now carry a 2.54 ERA, 0.99 and 32/10 K/BB ratio (28 1/3 innings) into a road showdown with the Red Sox. Had Snell not been roughed up by the Yankees for five runs in his second start of the season, those numbers would be even better. He has allowed zero or one run in all four of his other outings on the year.
Red Sox’ Pomeranz shaky in season debut
Drew Pomeranz (forearm) allowed three earned runs, five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision Friday in Oakland.
Pomeranz labored through his 88-pitch outing, throwing just 58 pitches for strikes and he uncorked a pair of wild pitches.
It was his first start since coming off the 10-day disabled list due to a flexor strain suffered during spring training. A little rust was to be expected, especially on the road. He’ll look for better results at home against the ice-cold Royals on Tuesday night.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 11-5 in Snell’s last 16 starts but are 4-9 in his last 13 outings versus the rest of the American League East.
Boston
The Red Sox are 5-1 in Pomeranz’s last six home starts and are 19-7 in his last 26 outings overall.
Prediction:
The Rays are winlesss in their last six games against the Red Sox, are 1-5 in their last six outings versus Boston overall, and are 0-4 in Snell’s last four starts versus the Red Sox. Even though Pomeranz is coming off a rough start to the season, he should rebound tonight at home against the light-hitting Rays.
The Pick: Boston Red Sox -160