MLB Game Preview - Red Sox underdogs vs Rays at Tampa Bay

Boston Red SoxTampa Bay Rays
July 15, 1:40 PM | TurfTropicana Field

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Odds

44-44TEAM RECORD46-42



The visiting Red Sox hope for a solid performance on Sunday as they look to steal a win at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Josh Beckett gets the ball in front of a hostile crowd for the Red Sox on this day; he's 4-7 on the season. The Rays, meanwhile, will counter with James Shields, who will be looking to improve on his 8-5 mark.



View Boston vs Tampa Bay Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as -115 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark. The total opened at 8 for those preferring over under wagers.

Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the American League No. 7-ranked Rays and the American League No. 6-rated Red Sox in this matchup.



How They Match Up:
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Tampa Bay has the American League's No. 9-rated offensive output, at 7.6 hits per game. The Red Sox average 9.3 hits per game, good for No. 3 on the American League list.

Defensively, Boston features the American League's No. 2-rated defense on the road, allowing 3.8 runs per game. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, comes in at No. 12 in the American League at home, scoring 4 runs per game.

Boston lost its last outing, a 5-3 result against the Rays on July 14. Bettors who backed the Rays at -164 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (8) sent OVER bettors to the payout window. The Red Sox were saddled with a loss last time out in Clay Buchholz's start, as they lost 5-3 against Tampa Bay on Saturday at Tropicana Field.




Boston Red Sox Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing Boston are 3-7
After a win are 3-7


A few Red Sox at Rays trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Boston's last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Boston's last 16 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games at home
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston


Next up:
Boston home to Chi White Sox, Monday, July 16
Tampa Bay home to Cleveland, Monday, July 16

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