Rays vs Red Sox Prediction and Betting Odds April 22
Rays vs Red Sox Betting Preview and Odds
The Rays have won two straight heading into their series with the Red Sox who have lost two straight. Can Boston turn things around in Tampa Bay? WagerTalk MLB handicapper Andy Lang offers his Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox betting preview for today, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10pm ET / 4:10pm PT.
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| Friday, April 22 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Tampa Bay Rays -150 vs Boston Red Sox +140 |
| Runline: | Rays -1.5 (+140) / Red Sox +1.5 (-160) |
| Total: | 8 Runs (Over -115 / Under -105) |
| Game Time: | 7:10pm ET / 4:10pm PT |
| Where: | Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL |
| Weather: | Dome |
Rays vs Red Sox Analysis
The Boston Red Sox begin a three game series on Friday night at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay against their division rival the Rays.
The Rays had yesterday off after winning two of three games against the Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox lost two of three games at Fenway Park against the Toronto Blue Jays.
They won a close call in the first game and then lost two straight. Tampa Bay won the regular season series 11-8 in 2021, but the Sox had last laugh by eliminating the Rays in the ALDS. First pitch of the first head-to-head meeting between these teams is slated for 7:10pm EST
Cora Can’t Make Roadtrip
The Boston Red Sox fell short of a ninth inning comeback, leaving the game tying run on third base and loosing 3-2. The youngster Tanner Houck was outdueled by veteran ace Kevin Gausman, Houck allowed two runs in five innings of work.
The offensive standout was hands down Xander Bogaerts, who went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. He was stranded at third base in the ninth inning as Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first base. Manager Alex Cora was unable to be in the dugout as he had a positive Covid-19 test right before first pitch.
He has mild symptoms and won’t be part of this upcoming series. Bench Coach Will Venable will take Cora’s place going forward.
JD Martinez also missed the game and will most likely be out again on Friday with adductor tightness. After losing two straight the Blue Jays the Red Sox now stand a game below .500 at 6-7 on the season.
The Sox send newly acquired Michael Wacha to the mound for the opening game in Tampa. Wacha has been great in his first two starts, allowing only one run in 4.1 innings in the first start and pitching five shutout innings in the second start.
Wacha has only allowed three hits, none of which being home runs and has struck out nine batters. Wacha has put up these numbers against the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, you would have to think that the Rays hitters present a greater challenge.
Rays Win Rain Shortened Game
The Tampa Bay Rays record sits a 7-6 on the season after thumping the Chicago Cubs 8-2 in a game shortened to five and a half innings due to rain. Drew Rasmussen started and threw three innings while allowing two earned runs.
South paw Jalen Beeks got the win after pitching two shutout innings to finish the game. Catcher Francisco Mejia went two for three with a home run and three RBI. Tampa Bay had a day off yesterday, a luxury Boston will have to wait on as they are the beginning stages of a 17 straight game stretch.
Shortstop and budding superstar is off to a torrid start the season with a .392 batting average, 1.032 OPS and three home runs. Corey Kluber will toe the mound for Twmpa Bay on Friday night.
Kluber was terrific for the Yankees last season before being injured, he even threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.
Kluber has similar numbers to that of Wacha through two starts with only two runs allowed in 9.1 innings of work. Kluber isn’t throwing with a ton of velocity but he makes up for it by being crafty and deceptive.
Rays vs Red Sox Prediction
The money line for tonight’s game is set at -150 for Tampa Bay and +130 for Boston with a total of 8.5. The offensive production of these teams has been hard to predict.
The Red Sox offense hasn’t clicked yet and now they will be without J.D. Martinez. The Boston bullpen has been rock solid and everyone knows the Rays bullpen is one of most talented squads in the league.
I won’t be taking an under between these teams in the dog days of summer at Fenway. But this is in run suppressing Tropicana Field in April. Unders are cashing over 60% of the time so far across the MLB and I’m looking at another one here.
Prediction: Under 8 Total Runs Scored
Interested in placing a bet on Friday’s Rays vs Red Sox American League clash? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 match bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
First Pitch | MLB Betting Preview for April 22
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. We have a slate full of intense baseball action including series’ featuring the Yankees vs Guardians, Padres vs Dodgers and Astros vs Blue Jays. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the MLB moneylines, run lines and betting percentages for all of Friday’s baseball games, including this Rays vs Red Sox showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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