The Boston Red Sox (1-3) might have looked completely inept in dropping its first three games of the season, but that wasn’t the case on Monday night. Boston picked up its first win of the season in emphatic fashion following three ugly losses against Baltimore to start the 2021 campaign.
Now, Boston heads into the second game of a three-game set against Tampa Bay (2-2) looking to tame the defending AL champs for the second straight night. With the MLB Betting Odds for this affair live right now, let’s find out which team looks like a winner in the best online sportsbook.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
When: Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 7:10 p.m. ET
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
TV: Bally Sports Sun, NESN
Starting Pitchers
Tampa Bay – Tyler Glasnow – RHP
Boston – Martin Perez – LHP
MLB Odds
Tampa Bay -153
Boston +138
Run Line
Tampa Bay -1½ -105
Boston +1½ -115
Total: 9
Rays Turn to Glasnow to Stop the Bleeding
Tampa Bay won its first two games of the young season by beating Miami 1-0 and 6-4 on Thursday and Friday, but it’s been all downhill since. The Rays got blown out of the water in Saturday’s 12-7 loss at Miami and saw their pitching staff get bombed again in Monday’s 11-2 rout against Boston.
Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks in five innings. Reliever Chris Mazza was even worse in giving up six runs on seven hits, including one home run in only 2.2 innings of work. Outfielder Randy Arozarena went 2-for-3 with one run scored while Manuel Margot and Joey Wendle added one RBI apiece.
Now, the Rays are hoping for another strong outing from right-hander Tyler Glasnow. The 27-year-old hurler looked like a legitimate staff ace on Opening Day by limiting Miami to one infield single in six innings while striking out six and walking none. Glasnow will look to overcome a Red Sox team he struggled against last season by allowing nine runs in 11 innings over two starts.
Tampa Bay is averaging 4.2 runs per game (16th) and batting a collective .221 (17th). Defensively, the Rays are giving up 7.1 runs per contest (27th) and allowing their opponents to bat a blistering .314 (28th).
Red Sox Look to Break Out the Bats Again
Boston picked up its first win of the season on Monday by rapping out 16 hits. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 4-for-5 with one run and one RBI. Veteran DH J.D. Martinez went 3-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. Alex Verdugo and Franchy Cordero both went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
“After a disappointing weekend, having that team here — the defending American League champs — it was good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Hopefully we can come tomorrow and do the same thing.”
On Tuesday night, Boston will turn to southpaw starter Martin Perez to get its second consecutive victory. The 30-year-old lefty went 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts spanning 38.0 innings last season.
Martinez went 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA against the Rays last season but will be in search of his first win at Fenway Park after going 0-4 with a 5.46 ERA in six home starts. Boston averages 4.0 runs per game (18th) and bats a collective 238 (14th). Defensively, the Red Sox allow 5.0 runs per contest (17th) while allowing their opponents to bat .285 (26th).
Glasnow Gets it Done Again
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has gotten pounded the last two games, but I’m banking on Tyler Glasnow to come up with his second straight strong start on Tuesday night.
The Rays are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series and 18-6 in their last 24 games following a loss. Boston is 1-4 in its last five home games and 3-13 in its last 16 home dates against Tampa Bay.
The Rays are 14-5 in the last 19 meetings against Boston and 15-6 in their last 21 games as a road favorite. I’m going with the defending AL champs to stop the bleeding by getting the hard-fought road win.
Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -153
Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -1½ (-105)
