Rays vs. Red Sox Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, July 6 (Brayan Bello Debuts in Style)
By Joe Summers
The 45-36 Boston Red Sox send top pitching prospect Brayan Bello to the mound for the first time tonight at 7:10 PM EST as they host the 44-37 Tampa Bay Rays.
Bello has been superb in the minors, compiling a 6-2 record and 2.81 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 51 innings this year. He's the most hyped Boston pitching prospect since Clay Buchholz, and the organization can't wait to get him on the field.
Corey Kluber starts for Tampa Bay to much less excitement, but he's been solid nonetheless. He struggled in his last outing, giving up five runs in only three innings to the Blue Jays. However, Kluber had a 2.54 ERA in June and went eight straight starts without giving up more than three runs prior to the Toronto debacle.
Will Bello live up to the hype? Or will the Rays play spoiler behind Kluber?
Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help us pick a winner in this Rays vs Red Sox matchup:
Rays vs Red Sox Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Rays +1.5 (-190)
- Red Sox -1.5 (+155)
Moneyline:
- Rays: +112
- Red Sox: -122
Total:
- 9.0 (Over -120/Under +100)
Rays vs Red Sox Prediction and Pick
I'm fired up for Brayan Bello's debut. The 23-year-old has a 99 MPH fastball with great off-speed pitches and has torn up minor league lineups on way his way Fenway Park tonight.
It’s Brayan Bello Day 🎉🍾
— Beyond the Monster (@BeyondtheMnstr) July 6, 2022
The Red Sox top pitching prospect makes his major league debut tonight at Fenway Park 🔥🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/vEvc3B0qfW
The Red Sox are already a contender in my eyes, but adding an excellent starter to the rotation only bolsters their case.
Brayan Bello’s prospect status distilled: There are 94 minor league pitchers who have thrown 70+ innings. Bello ranks 2nd in K rate (33.7%) and 1st in groundball rate (63.1%). Misses bats, misses barrels with electric stuff. https://t.co/fNGyYAgAEQ
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 6, 2022
Tampa Bay strikes out at the sixth highest rate in MLB on the road, and I think its lineup struggles today.
I also think the Red Sox lineup will find success against Corey Kluber. The Rays are just 1-3 in Kluber's last four starts and he's got a 4.74 ERA on the road. Tampa Bay's offense is performing well lately, but I expect Bello to shut them down in a statement debut.
Back Boston to improve to 7-1 in its last eight as a home favorite thanks to a remarkable debut from one of the most exciting prospects in the sport.
Pick: Red Sox ML (-122)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.