Rays vs. Red Sox Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, July 5 (Red Sox Stay Hot at Home)
By Joe Summers
We've got a pivotal AL East matchup in store as the 45-35 Boston Red Sox host the 43-37 Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 7:10 PM EST.
Both squads currently hold a wild card spot if the season ended today but are jockeying for playoff positioning.
Nick Pivetta starts for Boston after compiling a 2.25 ERA in June. He's thrown a quality start in nine of his last 10 outings -- and the Red Sox are 9-1 in that span.
The Rays turn to lefty Jeffrey Springs, who brings a 3-2 record and 2.25 ERA into Fenway Park. Tampa has won five straight starts by Springs, so we're in for a doozy between two great pitchers.
But which arm has the edge? Can Pivetta give Boston a third straight win or will Tampa Bay and Springs pick up the road win?
Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to answer those questions for this Rays vs Red Sox divisional matchup:
Rays vs Red Sox Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Rays: +1.5 (-185)
- Red Sox: -1.5 (+152)
Moneyline:
- Rays: +113
- Red Sox: -123
Total:
- 9 (Over -120/Under +100)
Rays vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick
You can make the case for either team in this game pretty easily. The Rays' lineup is heating up and Jeffrey Springs has been sensational this season, converting from reliever to starter seamlessly and giving Tampa a foundational rotation piece moving forward. They've won five straight behind him, so they certainly could take Boston down.
Nick Pivetta’s first month of the season:
— Sam Stein ☮️ (@samdoestweeter) July 5, 2022
19.1 IP, 8.27 ERA, 15 ER, 16 SO, 4 HR, .297 AVG, 1.96 WHIP
His next two months:
78.1 IP, 2.18 ERA, 19 ER, 75 SO, 6 HR, .196 AVG, 0.94 WHIP
All-star stuff.#DirtyWater
But the Red Sox are 9-1 in Nick Pivetta's last 10 outings as he's completely flipped the script on his season. Boston has been one of MLB's best teams since May and I believe they're a true contender. They're a ridiculous 22-8 since the start of June and lead the league in OPS against left-handed pitchers over the last three weeks.
Tampa's offense, meanwhile, ranks 22nd in OPS over that same span and are 3-8 in their last 11 as road underdogs. The Red Sox are 9-2 in their last 11 as home favorites, including five straight wins.
I'm inclined to back the short home favorite and side with Pivetta. The starting pitching matchup feels like a wash, and Boston's lineup is much more dangerous than the Rays' right now. Look for Pivetta to pull off a fifth straight home win as the Red Sox stay hot at Fenway Park.
Pick: Red Sox ML (-123)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.