All 30 MLB teams take the field on Saturday as the league continues a loaded weekend of baseball. In the afternoon window, the Boston Red Sox look to keep the energy high after a 5-4 walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Rays last night. Buckle up — this should be a fun battle between AL East rivals.
Here’s a Red Sox vs. Rays prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday’s action.
Red Sox vs. Rays prediction, preview
The Red Sox look like one of the MLB’s hottest teams heading into this contest having won eight straight games as well as 11 of their last 13 dating back to June 28. Boston’s collection of young talent has found its stride as of late and they’ve even pushed to 51-45 on the campaign despite sitting 40-43 prior to this hot streak, so the calculus for the upcoming trade deadline actually may have shifted as a result.
Notably, Alex Bregman returned from an extended absence last night and went 1-for-4. He injects some extra life into a lineup with an MLB-best 105 runs and .957 OPS over the last 15 days, so things are going incredibly well in Boston at the moment to say the least. The two-run homer by Ceddanne Rafaela was only further proof of that, a bright moment which should send the team heading into the All-Star break on a high note assuming they can win one of their next two games to take this series outright over a rival.
The Rays fell behind Boston after last night’s game, so the consequences of losing the first two games of this series are already showing. At 50-45, Tampa Bay doesn’t sit far behind their opponent in the AL East standings. Still, they’re going to scratch and claw their way into the break as they look to avoid dropping another game tonight.
Momentum hasn’t been on the Rays’ side lately, winning just three of their last 10 games with their last consecutive victories coming back on June 25 and 26. Since then, the team remains 4-10. They’re 11th in runs over the last 15 days and 14th in OPS but the pitching hasn’t done them any favors. The good news is that many of these losses were just one-run games, but the bad news is that All-Star Brandon Lowe was placed on the 10-day IL yesterday with left oblique tightness.
Red Sox vs. Rays pick, best bet
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Red Sox as strong -187 favorites on the Moneyline while the Rays are +152 underdogs to win outright. The run total sits at eight.
Boston’s ace takes the mound today and gives his team a significant advantage. Lefty Garrett Crochet boasts a 2.39 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this year, but his 151 strikeouts in 120.1 innings are arguably more impressive and rank second among all MLB pitchers. He throws against Shane Baz, a righty with a 4.34 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 104 punchouts across 103.2 innings.
Red Sox -1.5 looks like a top pick for today’s outing given the pitching matchup and the form both teams are in at the moment. Especially with Brandon Lowe injured, the Rays are limping into the All-Star break while their opponents are pushing full speed ahead. With momentum on Boston’s side and their top hurler getting the start, it feels like they could easily run away with this game, even against a respectable pitcher himself in Baz.
Best bet: BOS Red Sox -1.5 (+116)
Click the odds on this bet to tail!
