Tropicana Field will play host to an intriguing pitching matchup Thursday evening when undisputed ace Chris Sale (11-3, 2.61 ERA) takes the mound to face Jacob Faria, a Rays newcomer who’s yet to lose a decision through five major-league starts. The division rivals will play four games against each other to close out the first half of the season with the BoSox leading the Rays by 5.5 games in the AL East.
- The Red Sox are 4-1 SU and on the runline in Chris Sale’s last 5 starts on the road.
- The Rays are 4-1 SU and on the runline in Jacob Faria’s 5 career major-league starts.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Red Sox' last 6 games on the road against the Rays.
It will take very special circumstances for the Red Sox to be tabbed an underdog in games they hand the rock to Sale and today’s matchup with the Rays won’t meet the criteria. Boston opened as the -153 moneyline favorite and will probably receive most of the public action. That said, the Rays have been a good home team (24-18) and Faria looks like he has the stuff to become one of the best in baseball.
The 23-year-old right-handed hurler has already established himself as a strikeout specialist, ringing up 35 batters in his first 32.1 innings of work in the big leagues. He’s also managed to limit the free passes, issuing just five walks, and he’s also done a good job scattering the rare hits he has given up.
Young pitchers often have a hard time adjusting to the strike zone when first called up to the show but Faria has not had that problem. His strike-to-ball ratio, however, could get him in trouble against a lineup that has some of the best pure hitters in baseball.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those going with the Tampa Bay Rays in this one found them listed on the oddsboard as moneyline underdogs of 143 at Sportsbook for Thursday’s contest. The betting total was hovering near 7.5 at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 7.2-2.5 win for the Red Sox on Thursday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Tampa Bay Rays bring a 44-42 record to the battle against the 49-36 Red Sox. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs Boston injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 12 (Tampa Bay Rays) and the No. 3 (Boston Red Sox) teams, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Tampa Bay has baseball’s No. 11-rated offensive output, at 8.81 hits per game. The Boston Red Sox average 9.27 hits per game, good for No. 4 on the list.
Tampa Bay owns the No. 15 defense, allowing 4.83 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Boston’s No. 5-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Red Sox were saddled with a loss last time out in Doug Fister’s start, as they lost 8-2 against Texas on Wednesday at Globe Life Park.
Tampa Bay looks to rebound from a loss to the Cubs, who beat them 7-3 on Wednesday behind a start from John Lackey at Wrigley Field.
Next Betting Matchups
Boston at Tampa Bay, Friday, July 7
