Red Sox vs Rays: Red Sox Try to Hand Rays First Loss

• The Boston Red Sox have won three of their last five games.
• The Tampa Bay Rays are the only undefeated team left in the MLB.
• The Rays have won the first two games of this series.

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Odds

Odds Taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks

• Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston Red Sox  6-3. 
• Rays cover the spread, Over 8 runs.

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Red Sox vs Rays - Moneyline Analysis

The Boston Red Sox will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the third game of a four-game series. The Rays won the first game by a score of 1-0 and the second game by a score of 7-2.

As I write this, the Red Sox have not played the Rays in their Wednesday matchup. Boston has had their struggles this season and has been stifled by the Rays in the first two games of this series. 

Even though they have a losing record, their lineup has been pretty good. Boston is averaging 5.55 runs per game through 11 games. Veteran Adam Duvall had been crushing the ball until he went down with a wrist injury last weekend. Duvall will not need surgery but will miss some time. 

While the loss of Duvall is a big blow, the Red Sox still have Rafael Devers, Alex Verdugo, and Justin Turner. Turner has had a slow start but will improve with time. Overall, this is a mediocre lineup at best, but they can put up a lot of runs some nights.

Corey Kluber will get the start for the Red Sox. Kluber fell off a bit last season when he played for the Rays and has had mixed results to begin this season. 

The righty gave up five earned runs in 3⅓ innings in his first start but rebounded by only giving up one earned run in five innings in his second start. The simple facts are Kluber is over the hill at 37 years old. He will not be replicating his All-Star years and is just a mediocre pitcher now. He has a 1.68 WHIP and will struggle a bit against a Rays team averaging over seven runs a game.

The Rays have been firing on all cylinders. They have not lost a game this season and are crushing the ball at the plate. Tampa has a team average of .283 and has hit 29 home runs through 11 games. 

They have eight players (Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, Jose Siri, and Taylor Walls) with averages above .300. Jose Siri and Taylor Walls do not play too much, but the other six are everyday starters or nearly every day starters. The Rays also have four players (Wander Franco, Isaac Paredes, Brandon Lowe, and Randy Arozarena) with ten or 11 RBIs. I only say this to show how dominant the Rays have been at the plate.

Jeffrey Springs will get the nod for the Rays. Springs has been a force on the mound in his first two starts. 

The southpaw has pitched 13⅔ innings through two starts and is yet to give up a run. He is one of only a handful of starters with a 0.00 ERA and has been a nightmare for opposing hitters. With that being said, I expect him to give up his first run tomorrow. Springs has been magnificent, but all good things must come to an end. 

The 30-year-old will put on a good showing and get the win but also give up a run or two in the process.

I have to play it safe and recommend betting on the Rays. Tampa is doing everything right and playing at home. Bet on them to win.

Red Sox vs Rays - Over/Under Analysis

The over/under for this game is placed at eight runs. This is a pretty fair number, and I would recommend betting on the over.

The Red Sox will lose this game but score three runs in the process. Two of those runs will come off Jeffrey Springs. Springs is a great pitcher, and giving up two runs is not very many. He will give up a few hits, which will result in a couple of runs. Boston will also score one run off the Rays’ bullpen. Tampa has a fantastic bullpen but will make a mistake and allow a run.

The Rays will have a field day at the plate. They are facing an inconsistent Corey Kluber. In addition, many of these players are very familiar with his pitching arsenal from playing with him last year. 

Tampa will put up four runs on Kluber in four or five innings. The Rays will also put up two runs against the Red Sox bullpen. 

The Boston bullpen has an ERA in the threes but is facing the hottest lineup in baseball. Tampa will score six runs, pushing this game toward the over.

Head-to-Head: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays

How To Watch Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays

• What - Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
• Where - Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
• When - Thursday, April 13, 1:10 PM
• How to Watch - MLB Extra Innings, Bally Sports Sun, MLB.TV, New England Sports Network