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Rays vs Red Sox Prediction & Best Bets (5/16): Will Boston Bag a Series Split?
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 5 minutes
mlb
Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+1.5
-215
7
-110o
-104
Boston Red Sox Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-1.5
+185
8
-119u
-105
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See Picks & Statistics For The GameThe Tampa Bay Rays have not spent much time over .500 this season, but they have a chance to do so tonight with a win in their series finale against the Boston Red Sox (7:10 pm ET, NESN).
The Rays (22-22) took two of the first three games at Fenway Park, winning 5-3 on Monday and 4-3 yesterday while the Red Sox (22-21) won Tuesday’s contest 5-4 in 12 innings.
To win a road series for the first time in over a month, Tampa Bay will have to cobble together some run production against former Rays hurler Cooper Criswell, who has pitched well in his five starts for the Red Sox this season.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Odds
Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on Major League Baseball.
Moneyline
- Tampa Bay Rays -103
- Boston Red Sox -107
Over/Under
- Over 8 (+100)
- Under 8 (-120)
Run Line
- Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-220)
- Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+190)
Looking for more baseball picks? Our MLB picks page features moneyline, total (over/under), and run line (spread) picks for every MLB game on the schedule each day.
Today’s Pitching Matchup for Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox
- Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Zack Littell (8 starts, 2-2, 3.02 ERA)
- Boston Red Sox: RHP Cooper Criswell (6 appearances – 5 starts, 2-1, 2.10 ERA)
Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Betting Analysis
Last season, Criswell went 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in ten relief appearances for the Rays before being designated for assignment following the season.
The Red Sox picked him up on a one-year, $1 million deal, and their investment has been repaid and then some already.
In his lone relief appearance this season, Criswell gave up four runs (only one earned) in 2.1 innings against the Cleveland Guardians on April 18. In his five starts, the 27-year-old righty has allowed only five runs in 23.1 innings.
Along with giving up few runs, Criswell has been pretty stingy overall. In his limited appearances last season, Criswell had a WHIP of 1.55, allowing 40 hits and 11 walks in 33 innings. Entering tonight’s matchup with his former team, Criswell has allowed only 21 hits and five walks in 25.2 innings, giving him a WHIP of 1.01.
Other than one rough start against the Detroit Tigers on April 22, Littell has also pitched very well this season. In that start against the Tigers, he allowed six runs (five earned), two homers, and nine hits in six innings. In his other seven starts, Littell has a 2.10 ERA and has given up just one home run in 38.2 innings.
Neither team is outstanding at the plate against righties, but the Rays struggle more in that department. In games started by RHP, they are hitting .229 and averaging only 3.75 runs per game. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are hitting .251 and averaging 4.81 runs per game in games started by RHP.
This one is more or less a toss-up as the odds indicate, but the outlook is a bit more promising for the Red Sox, especially as the Rays are only 8-13 in games following a win.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Prediction & Best Bets
Rays vs Red Sox Prediction: Red Sox to win
Rays vs Red Sox Best Bets: 1) Red Sox ML, 2) Red Sox team total over 3.5 runs (-130 at BetOnline), 3) Wilyer Abreu over 1.5 total bases (+127 at BetOnline)
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