In our MLB predictions for Thursday, July 14, we are breaking down a four-game series finale between Boston and Tampa Bay to bring you the best Red Sox vs Rays betting pick and odds. The third contest of this set has been excluded from the analysis, while the Rays have won their previous four encounters with the Red Sox.
Red Sox vs Rays Sportsbook Promo Code
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Sign up to BetMGM Sportsbook and get a chance of winning $200 in free bets if one of the teams launches a home run. The new bettors can place $10 on either team and regardless of the outcome, they will win $200 if the Red Sox or Rays hit a round-tripper. These two AL East foes have combined for 165 homers so far this season.
Red Sox vs Rays Betting Pick
This game will be played at Tropicana Field at 7:10 PM ET on Thursday, July 14, 2022.
Why Bet The Rays:
✅ Tampa Bay’s offense has struggled a lot through the first three months of the season. The Rays are heating up in July, slashing a firm .278/.358/.428 with 12 home runs and 28 doubles across 425 at-bats. They’ve scored 64 runs over their previous 12 outings.
✅ Over the last ten days of action, the Rays’ bullpen has recorded the highest WAR in the majors (1.1). It’s compiled a 4.07 ERA, 2.23 FIP, 10.5 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and 0.2 HR/9 in its previous 42 innings of work.
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
✅ Drew Rasmussen will get the starting call for the Rays, and the current Red Sox have only nine hits and .506 OPS in 34 at-bats against him. Rasmussen is 5-3 with a solid 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 57/20 K/BB ratio in 14 starts (66.2 innings pitched) this season. He’s allowed only one earned run over his previous two starts and 8.2 frames of work.
Boston Red Sox
After a 10-5 defeat in Monday’s opener at Tropicana Field, the Red Sox blew a 2-0 lead in Chris Sale’s season debut last Tuesday and suffered a 3-2 defeat at the Rays. It was their sixth loss in eight outings, and the Sawx fell to 47-41 on the season.
Kutter Crawford will get the nod Thursday and meet the Rays for the second time this season. The 26-year-old righty emerged victorious on July 4, tossing 5.1 scoreless frames in a 4-0 home win over Tampa Bay. Crawford is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a troublesome 1.43 WHIP in three starts and nine relief appearances (30 IP) in 2022.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays finished last week with three straight disappointing defeats at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. They bounced back in style with a couple of victories against Boston, so the 47-40 Rays were sitting at the second spot in the AL East on Wednesday, half a game ahead of the Red Sox and 14 games behind the mighty New York Yankees.
Drew Rasmussen dominated the Cincinnati Reds through four innings of work in a no-decision this past Saturday. He held them off the scoreboard while punching out six, but the Rays eventually lost 5-4.