The Red Sox take on the Rays as we continue our MLB odds series with a Red Sox-Rays prediction, pick, and how to watch.
The Boston Red Sox are on the road to face division foe Tampa Bay Rays Monday night. This game will continue our MLB odds series as we hand out a Red Sox-Rays prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
The Red Sox will hand the ball to Tanner Houck. The Rays will give Taj Bradley the start Monday night.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Rays Odds
Boston Red Sox: -1.5 (+146)
Moneyline: -106
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-178)
Moneyline: -110
Over: 7.5 (-110)
Under: 7.5 (-110)
How to Watch Red Sox vs. Rays
Time: 6:50 PM ET/3:50 PM PT
TV: NESN, Bally Sports Florida
Stream: fuboTV
Why The Red Sox Will Cover The Spread/Win
Tanner Houck is the starting pitcher for the Red Sox and he is definitely in the AL Cy Young race this season. He owns a 2.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 58 innings this season. He has allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his nine starts this season. Along with that, Houck has gone at least 5.2 innings in all of his starts. If Houck continues that success in this game, the Red Sox are going to win the game.
Houck is in the 87th percentile in walk percentage, 89th percentile in barrel percentage, and 92nd percentile in ground ball rate. Houck has incredible command on the mound, and he is able to induce a lot of weak contact on the ground. Offensively, the Rays are bottom-5 in hard hit percentage, average exit velocity, and barrel percentage. Houck should be able to have a lot of success in this game and shut down the Rays.
Why The Rays Will Cover The Spread/Win
Taj Bradley has made two starts for the Rays this season, and both have been solid. Bradley’s last start came against the Red Sox, as well. In that game, Bradley was able to go five innings, strike out six, walk one, and allow just two earned runs. Another start like that will allow the Rays to walk out of this game with a win.
The Rays took three of four games from the Red Sox in their first series. In those four games, the Rays outscored the Red Sox 20-16. The number to look at there is 16. Boston allowed just four runs per game, and that is always a big help when it comes to winning. If the Rays can have another good game on the mound here, they will be able to win this game.
Final Red Sox-Rays Prediction & Pick
This should be a good game. Both pitchers are throwing the ball extremely well, so I am expecting the under to hit in this game. With neither team being able to score a lot, it makes the moneylines more attractive than the spreads.
Tanner Houck is the pitcher to watch here. Houck has been able to pitch really well this season, but the Red Sox have not been able to back him up. Bradley has pitched well in his first two starts of the season, and he is overall a good pitcher. However, I like the Tanner Houck and the Red Sox to win this game straight up. I will take Boston’s moneyline.
Final Red Sox-Rays Prediction & Pick: Red Sox ML (-106)
