MLB Betting - Red Sox, Rays meet in rematch of 2008 AL Championship series
Online sports betting handicappers will be examining the Rays vs Red Sox odds this weekend as the two teams meet up for a three-game set, but both squads are in different positions than when they met in the ALCS last year. It’s easy to look at the Rays vs Red Sox odds and remember their highly-contested ALCS matchup last year, but the reality is that both teams have started the 2009 season differently.
Rays vs Red Sox odds: Rays Playing Catch up in AL East
- Rays below .500 in early part of the season
- Rays struggling due to poor pitching
- Red Sox contending for the lead in the AL East
The Rays vs Red Sox odds in the sportsbook will have the Red Sox favored for all three times that the teams square off this weekend, and that is mostly because of how they have both performed this year. The Red Sox have been contending with the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East, while the Rays have struggled to get to .500.
Last season, the Rays were led by their pitching but were one of the weaker hitting teams in the league. This year, the opposite has been true as their pitching has dipped while their hitting has improved. The Rays pitching staff has a collective 4.54 ERA, which is 18th in the Majors. While James Shields and Matt Garza have been reliable, starters like Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and Jeff Niemann have struggled in the back end of the Rays rotation. All three have ERA’s of 5.68 or higher.
The Rays vs Red Sox odds will come down to pitching, as the Rays are unlikely to outhit the Red Sox. That proved to be true when the two teams met in Tampa Bay from April 30th to May 3rd for four games. In the Rays’ three wins, their pitchers held the Red Sox to a total of five runs. In the Rays one loss, they allowed 10 runs to the Red Sox.
The Red Sox have been much more reliable at home and they’ll be looking for revenge after losing three of four to the Rays. Also, those betting the Rays vs Red Sox odds should keep in mind that the Rays really embarrassed the Sox on the base paths, as Carl Crawford tied a modern-day record with six stole bases in one game. The Rays also set a new franchise record for the Sox, stealing eight bases in one game.
The Red Sox will have revenge on their mind and after making some adjustments, look for them to win at least two of three in this series.
Skip Lalonde’s Pick: Bet on the Red Sox to win this series.
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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. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
