Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Prediction 9-5-23 MLB Picks

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays clash Tuesday in game 2 of an MLB series at Tropicana Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

The Red Sox look to build on their 3-game winning streak. The Red Sox are 4.5 games back in the wild card race. The Red Sox pitching staff is 21st in ERA (4.53), 20th in WHIP (1.35) and 26th in quality starts (38). The Red Sox offense is 8th in runs per game (5.00), 3rd in batting average (.264) and 15th in homers (165). Masataka Yoshida leads the Red Sox with 139 hits and 68 RBI, while Justin Turner and Alex Verdugo have combined for 270 hits and 142 RBI. Kutter Crawford gets the ball, and he is 6-7 with a 4.08 ERA and 102 strikeouts this season. Crawford is 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA and 24 strikeouts in his career against the Rays.

Boston Red Sox Team Facts

• The Red Sox have won each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Red Sox have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Red Sox have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Red Sox have led after 7 innings in five of their last seven games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Red Sox have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games at Tropicana Field against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays need a win after losing 3 of their last 4 games. The Rays are 3 games back in the AL East. The Rays pitching staff is 5th in ERA (3.84), 2nd in WHIP (1.18) and 17th in quality starts (45). The Rays' offense is 4th in runs per game (5.33), 7th in batting average (.259) and 4th in homers (198). Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 146 hits and 67 RBI, while Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco have combined for 248 hits and 136 RBI. Zach Eflin gets the ball, and he is 13-8 with a 3.40 ERA and 151 strikeouts this season. Eflin is 0-0 with a 7.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in his career against the Red Sox.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

• The Rays have won each of their last seven night games against American League opponents following a home loss.
• The favorites have covered the run line in seven of the last eight games between the Red Sox and Rays.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last three night games against the Red Sox.
• The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in eight of their last 12 games as home favorites.
• The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 2nd in the league for steals this season (147).
• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 2nd in the league for runs allowed this season (551).
• The Boston Red Sox ranks 1st in the league for doubles this season (301).
• The Boston Red Sox ranks 3rd in the league for hits this season (1252).

Randy’s Pick

The Rays should be favored at home for obvious reasons, but they've been shaky these last few games and the Red Sox are hitting .370 with 5 homers against Zach Eflin in 54 at bats. The Red Sox have played themselves back in the playoff race with 3 straight wins and Kutter Crawford has been at his best on the road where he has a 2.06 ERA and .194 allowed batting average. Big series for the Red Sox and their playoff hopes. I'll take a stab with the plus money.