Red Sox vs. Rays Thursday Prediction
The Boston Red Sox will go for a sweep of their American League East rivals the Tampa Bay Rays when the two teams wrap things up at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday night. Will the third game of the series also be low-scoring?
Game Snapshot & Odds
913 Boston Red Sox (-135) at 914 Tampa Bay Rays (+115); 7.5 runs
Thursday, May 24, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Target Field
TV: HOU (ATTH); CLE (STO)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Red Sox as a -135 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 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 Porcello strikes out nine in quality start vs. Orioles
Rick Porcello allowed three runs on six hits in six innings and was credited with a win against the Orioles on Saturday. He registered nine strikeouts against three walks in the quality start. He surrendered just one run through five innings but then served up a two-run homer to Pedro Alvarez in his sixth and final inning of work.
The veteran right-hander improves to 6-1 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Only Max Scherzer and Corey Kluber with seven wins apiece have won more ballgames than Porcello so far this year.
Rays’ Snell strong in last outing vs. Angels
Blake Snell allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings and fanned eight in a defeat of the Angels on Friday. Snell has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts, and he’s struck out at least eight on four occasions. Expect him to remain a top-25 SP in mixed leagues over the rest of the year.
MLB Betting Trends
Boston
The Red Sox are 5-0 in their last five road games versus the Rays and 9-2 in their last 11 games versus Tampa Bay overall. The Red Sox are also 4-0 in Porcello’s last four starts versus the Rays and are 4-1 in his last five road outings against Tampa.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are just 1-4 in Snell’s last five starts versus the Red Sox overall.
Prediction:
The under has been a great bet in this series and a great bet when these two teams get together. The under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between these two teams at Tropicana Field, is 4-1 in their last five meetings overall, and is 4-1 in Porcello’s last five starts versus the Rays. I see no reason to go against the under tonight in a series that has been low-scoring.
The Pick: Red Sox/Rays under 7.5