Anyone looking at the MLB standings would be scratching their heads to try and figure out which way the Tampa Bay Rays are headed.
The Rays are returning home for a seven-game homestand heading into the All-Star break, looking for answers. Tampa Bay is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Cincinnati Reds.
Boston, meanwhile, has a slim lead over the Rays in the standings after they split a four-game series with the first-place New York Yankees at home.
With the mid-summer break looming, each franchise will look to end the first half on a positive note and position themselves for a long-term run at the Wild Card.
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Red Sox vs. Rays: MLB Odds for Today
Making MLB picks against the spread, whether it be in the first five innings or across the entire game, is no picnic for bettors.
With this matchup, in particular, there has been little consistency across their first six meetings. The Rays lead the season series 4-2, with four of the games being decided by two runs or more.
Five of the six games have gone under the total. Both teams are 3-3 against the run line this season.
For the MLB odds today, Boston has been set as a -118 favorite. The Rays are even money on the money line. The over/under has been set at 7.5 runs.
Boston vs. Tampa Bay Betting Preview
Bryan Bello Analsysis
How Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello bounces back from his first career start will be important for anyone making Red Sox vs. Rays betting predictions.
Bello was heralded as Boston’s top pitching prospect before he took the mound against Tampa Bay last Wednesday. What Bello found was an introduction to how good MLB batters are.
Bello Against Rays
The Rays were patient and forced Bello into issuing three walks and were able to connect with six hits. What ensued was a four-inning performance for Bello, who allowed four runs during his time on the mound.
Boston hopes seeing the Rays for a second time will help Bello, who only struck out two batters on 79 pitchers.
Matt Wisler Analysis
Matt Wisler, coming off making a bizarre footnote in MLB history last Friday, will be asked to be the opener for Tampa Bay Monday.
Against Cincinnati last Friday, Wisler became the first pitcher in MLB history to allow the winning run to score on a balk during a relief appearance. However, Wisler has been vital in most situations for Tampa Bay this season.
Wisler’s Performance
The Rays’ right-handed reliever has allowed 18 runs, 11 earned, in 38.1 innings of work this season. Wisler has allowed six home runs and 28 hits this season as well. So far this season, Wisler has a 2-3 record and 2.58 ERA.
Boston vs. Tampa Bay Picks and Predictions
Total for Boston’s Offense
Anyone making MLB picks today will see the over/under in this series won’t be easy to get a feel for. The only game between the two sides that have gone over the total in this series was last Thursday’s game, which ended with an 8-4 victory by the Rays. The total could have sailed over if Boston’s offense had shown any life in Bello’s first outing.
The Red Sox only producing a single run in a 7-1 loss last Wednesday kept the game a run short of going over the total. With Bello not having to fight off the first-night jitters, it is possible the total could still go under.
However, considering Boston has been hitting the ball well lately, and Bello is only making his second start, both teams should be able to help nudge this over the total.
Moneyline for Red Sox
MLB odds have Boston favored, which is interesting considering Bello’s start last week, and this is a road game for the Red Sox.
However, Tampa Bay is starting to fall off as the Tampa Bay Rays approach the All-Star break. The Rays were just swept on the road by a poor Cincinnati team.
Tampa Bay, however, lost two of those games in extra innings. The Rays’ offense is still not where it needs to be to compete against their division rivals. Tampa Bay ranks 23rd in the league with 80 home runs and 23rd in runs scored with 4.12.
Boston Red Sox Offense
The Red Sox’s offense produced 11 runs in a come-from-behind win over the Yankees Sunday night and may be able to carry that momentum on Monday. Boston will help Bello get his first career victory.
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