Red Sox vs. Rays Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, July 12 (Does Sale's Return Give Boston Edge?)
By Joe Summers
Chris Sale makes his first start of the season today as the 47-40 Boston Red Sox take on the 46-40 Tampa Bay Rays in a critical matchup between two clubs battling for a playoff spot.
Riddled with injury over the last couple of years, Sale hopes to return to the form that gave him seven top-six Cy Young finishes. He was impressive in the minors, but his stamina and demeanor leave much to be desired.
Tampa Bay turns to Corey Kluber coming off six shutout innings against these Red Sox. He's inconsistent though, and gave up 11 hits and four runs to Boston earlier this season.
Which AL East team has the edge? Can Kluber notch a second straight strong outing against his divisional rival or will Sale seize the day in his first start of 2022?
To pick a winner in this Red Sox vs Rays matchup, let's first check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:
Red Sox vs Rays Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Red Sox -1.5 (+130)
- Rays +1.5 (-160)
Moneyline:
- Red Sox: -115
- Rays: +105
Total:
- 7.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Red Sox vs Rays Prediction and Pick
Boston's rotation should receive a boost with both Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi returning this week. The club is feeling confident approaching the All-Star Break, and Sale aims to bolster that confidence with a dominant return today.
I'm not sure how much I can trust Sale though. He walked five batters in his last minor league start and didn't last through to the fifth inning in any of his rehab outings.
The Red Sox bullpen is a liability, so a short stint from Sale may put too much pressure on Boston's relievers.
Since April 29, Corey Kluber has nine starts of 5 IP or more with 2 ER or less.
— Rays The Roof (@RaysTheRoofTB) July 7, 2022
Eight starts of 6 IP and 2 ER or less as well in his last 13 starts 👀
I do feel I can trust Kluber, on the other hand. Tampa Bay has three straight home wins behind him and he's got a 3.08 ERA at Tropicana Field.
With the uncertainty around Sale and a Boston lineup that ranks just 20th in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last two weeks, I'll back the Rays as short home underdogs. Until Sale proves himself, I don't feel comfortable backing him as a road favorite against a pitcher and team I can trust.
Pick: Rays (+105)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.