The Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game series on Tuesday night in Tampa. The Rays have utilized solid pitching and timely hitting to creep back to within a half dozen games of the Yankees in the AL East Division race and are in line to take one of the three wildcard spots available in the American League. The Red Sox have played much better as of late and seem to be relishing the role of spoiler even as they remain, barely, in the hunt for a wildcard spot. The pitching matchup for Tuesday night will feature Boston lefty Rich Hill (6-5, 4.52) opposing Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (9-4, 2.70). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm EST.
The Red Sox will have a chance to play a major spoiler role in the month of September in the AL East as the three teams in front of them all battle for a playoff spot. Boston comes into Tampa Bay following a four-game sweep of the Rangers at Fenway Park that pushed the team to within a game of .500. On Monday in Tampa, Boston looked to be on the verge of their sixth straight win. However, after leaving the bases loaded in the top of the 7th inning with a 3-2 lead, Boston's beleaguered bullpen allowed two runs leading to a 4-3 loss to the Rays.
REFSNYDER CALLED GAME. pic.twitter.com/1E2nLYXiml
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 2, 2022
Boston's season could be encapsulated in the first game of this series. Boston missed key opportunities at the plate, namely Trevor Story's strikeout in the 7th with the bases loaded and the team's bullpen failed yet again. Boston has the fifth worst bullpen ERA in baseball and have the most blown saves this season. The streak rolled on against the Rays on Monday afternoon. Taking the mound in game two will be crafty veteran Rich Hill. Hill is 2-1 in his last five games with an ERA of 5.48. He has allowed 24 hits in 23 innings pitched in his last five games. Hill is 1-0 in two starts against the Rays this season and has yet to allow a run.