The Boston Red Sox (5-7) wrap up a 4-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays (12-0) Thursday. First pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 3-0
The Red Sox fell behind 3-0 in the 1st inning Wednesday as OF Randy Azorarena got the home crowd into it early with a 3-run HR off LHP Chris Sale. Tampa Bay built a 6-1 lead through 4 innings before the Boston bats came alive late.
The Rays had 6 extra-base hits Wednesday, including the Azorarena dinger. Tampa Bay now leads the majors with 20 homers and 92 runs scored. It’s no surprise it is tops in run differential at plus-65, but it is shocking that the 2nd-best team in differential is the New York Yankees at just plus-28.