Red Sox vs. Rays Tuesday Prediction
American League East rivals will open a new series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Boston Red Sox. Is the under the best bet on the board when these rivals meet at 7:10 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
915 Boston Red Sox (-225) at 916 Tampa Bay Rays (+190); 7 runs
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Tropicana Field
TV: BOS (NESN); TB (FS SUN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Red Sox as a -225 favorite. As of this writing, 74% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Rays on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Red Sox Sale allows two runs in victory over A’s
Chris Sale surrendered two runs in five innings and was credited with a win over the Athletics on Wednesday. The Red Sox ace punched out nine batters in the relatively short start but didn’t feature his normal control, issuing four free passes in five frames. He allowed just two base hits, including a two-run dinger by shortstop Marcus Semien in the fifth inning.
It took him 102 pitches to complete five innings and that combined with the fact he went nine innings in his previous start led to the decision to pull him early in this one. He improves to 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 10 starts. He ranks third in the majors with 87 strikeouts.
Rays’ Faria struggles in no-decision vs. Royals
Jacob Faria scattered four hits and three runs over 4 1/3 innings Wednesday as the Rays rolled to a 5-3 win over the Royals. Faria struck out two and walked four while throwing just 51 of his 89 pitches for strikes. The right-hander was handed an early 4-0 lead but nearly coughed it up by allowing a run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. Faria was behind in the count all day, throwing first-pitch strikes to just eight of the 21 batters he faced.
Coming off a successful rookie season in 2017, Faria has fallen into a deep sophomore slump, contributing just two quality starts in nine outings this year. It doesn’t get any easier for the 24-year-old, who faces the Red Sox in his next start Tuesday at Tropicana Field. He holds an ugly 14.29 ERA over two appearances against Boston this season.
MLB Betting Trends
Boston
The Red Sox are 5-2 in Sale’s last seven starts versus the Rays.
Tampa Bay
The Rays have lost seven of their last nine home games versus the Red Sox and are just 2-7 in their last nine games played against Boston overall.
Prediction:
I love the under tonight. Faria’s struggles this season concern me, especially when you consider how potent Boston’s offense can be when its firing on all cylinders. But we have some margin for error tonight because I doubt a weak-hitting Tampa Bay offense will sniff Sale. The under has cashed in five of the last six meetings between these two teams in Tampa and I see that trend holding true tonight.
The Pick: Red Sox/Rays under 7