Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 8/24/2018 Prediction & Odds

Red Sox vs. Rays Friday Prediction

American League East rivals meet at Tropicana Field on Friday night when the Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. ET. Will the game turn out to be a low-scoring affair?

Game Snapshot & Odds

965 Boston Red Sox (-149) at 966 Tampa Bay Rays (+139); 8 runs

Friday, August 24, 2018

1:35 p.m. ET, PNC Park

TV: BOS (NESN); TB (FS SUN)

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Red Sox as a -149 favorite. As of this writing, 60% 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’ Velazquez solid in spot start vs. Rays

Hector Velazquez limited the Rays to just one run over four innings of work but took a loss Sunday. It wasn't pretty from Velazquez, as he walked three and also hit a batter. However, a solo home run hit by Joey Wendle in the second inning represented the only tally off the right-hander. The outing was good enough that Velazquez might have earned another start with Chris Sale (shoulder) sidelined, but fantasy owners can steer clear.

Rays recall Castillo from Triple-A Durham

Rays recalled RHP Diego Castillo from Triple-A Durham. Castillo, 24, had posted a lights-out 1.03 WHIP, 0.84 WHIP, and 32/7 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 innings of relief this season at the Triple-A level. He could be used for multi-inning spurts out of the Tampa Bay bullpen.

MLB Betting Trends

Boston

The Red Sox have won five of the last six meetings between these two teams in Tampa and are 11-4 in their last 15 games versus the Rays overall.

Tampa Bay

The Rays are 36-17 in their last 53 home games and have won five straight games.

Prediction:

The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams in Tampa and 5-2 in the last seven meetings overall. The under is also 10-2-1 in the Rays’ last 13 games, is 6-2-1 in their last nine games coming off a win and is 20-8 in their last 28 divisional games. Finally, the under is 3-1-1 in the Red Sox’ last five road games, is 4-1-1 in their last six divisional games and is 6-1-1 in their last eight games coming off a win.

 

The Pick: Red Sox/Rays under 8