The American League East leading
Boston Red Sox welcome the
Tampa Bay Rays back to Fenway Park tonight as two teams conclude their three game set in Bean Town. This evening’s meeting between the Red Sox and Rays is scheduled to get underway at 7:10pm ET. The latest
MLB Free Picks and Odds from 5Dimes have the Red Sox listed as a -125 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at 9.5 runs (Under favored at -120 odds). Tampa Bay is drawing +115 odds ($100 wins $115) to avoid being swept.
Boston improved its record to an American League best 44-29 last night with a 3-1 series deciding victory over the Rays. The Red Sox were ineffective at the plate for the majority of the game, nearly spoiling a gem from starter Felix Doubront (eight innings, three hits, no runs). A two run homer in the bottom of the ninth from Jonny Gomes broke a 1-1 tie, though, and carried Boston to victory.
The Red Sox will seek its 24th home win of the season with veteran Ryan Dempster on the hill. Boston is 3-5 in Dempster’s last eight outings and they are 4-6 in his 10 starts at Fenway Park. Boston did win his last two home starts, though, as they supported him with an astounding 27 runs in wins over the Rangers and Angels.
The 36-35 Rays, who have lost six of their last seven games, will counter Dempster with third year pro Jeremy Hellickson. Tampa Bay is 3-1 in Hellickson’s last four appearances, despite most of those being less than stellar performances from the Iowa native.
Hellickson, who owns a 5.56 ERA in seven road starts, is coming off his worst outing of the season, a 10-1 home loss to the Royals in which he allowed 10 hits and eight earned runs over 5.2 innings.
Notable Trends: The Over is 5-0 in the Red Sox last five games as a home favorite with a total between 9.5 and 10 runs.
Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-175), Over 9.5 (+100), +115 (Moneyline)
Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+155), Under 9.5 (-120), -125 (Moneyline)
MLB Replay System
Vegas Runner, Bryan Leonard and host Steve Fezzik discuss the current MLB replay system, with ideas on how to tweak it.