Red Sox vs Rays Odds - Rays will get back in the AL East hunt
The Red Sox vs Rays odds arguably mean a lot more to the Rays than they do to the Red Sox. Boston stopped its slump and now sits just half a game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East, whereas Tampa is in danger of sliding out of the race if it doesn’t gain ground on the BoSox in MLB betting this week.
Red Sox vs Rays odds: Pitching matchups favor Tampa in two-game set
- Matt Garza is the man against Boston this season
- Jon Lester totally the opposite against Tampa
- David Price rocks at home; Carl Crawford should give Brad Penny trouble
Tonight, 7:08 p.m. ET
Jon Lester (9-7, 3.90) vs Matt Garza 7-8, 3.69)
The Red Sox vs Rays odds give us a nice treat to open the series, as each team sends a blossoming youngster to the mound. Matt Garza is money in the bank against top competition, especially the Red Sox. He’s 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 21.2 innings in three starts against them this season.
As good as Jon Lester is, he’s the opposite of Garza in this situation – 0-2 with a 12.54 ERA against Tampa. That’s 13 earned runs in 9.1 innings, with 18 hits. Ouch. Don’t overthink this one.
MLB betting pick: Rays
Wednesday, August 5, 7:08 p.m. ET
Brad Penny (7-5, 5.07) vs David Price (4-4, 5.10)
Brad Penny is tough to peg in Wednesday’s betting action. He was hot in June but stumbled in July. His overall track record against the Rays is mediocre, yet few of the Rays’ top hitters have much success at all against Penny in their careers (except Carl Crawford, who bats .750 against him).
David Price is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for the Rays and, luckily for Tampa, he’s Jekyll at home. He’s 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA at Tropicana Field this season. He’s handled potent lineups like Toronto’s despite getting rocked by the same group on the road. As good as the Boston hitters are, it’s tough to bet against Price’s Red Sox vs Rays odds at the offshore sportsbook when he pitches in his comfort zone.
MLB betting pick: Rays
For full Red Sox vs Rays odds and more sports betting advice, read the Betting Edge at betonline.com all summer long.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.
