Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction & Betting Tips - MLB

Prediction published on 04/07/2022, 18:45  by Joseph King | Modified on 05/07/2022 at 01:46 in MLB Predictions

The Red Sox will be looking to increase their lead over AL East rivals the Tampa Bay Rays when the two teams meet at Fenway Park for the second of a three game series. Boston’s pitching was on point in game one yesterday, leading the way to a 4-0 shutout victory and moving Boston’s record to 45-35 on the season. They now sit two games ahead of the Rays in the standings who have dropped to fourth in the division with a 43-37 record. The Red Sox, Blue Jays and Rays all look set to battle it out for the AL Wild Card as their ticket into the MLB postseason given the Yankees stranglehold of the division. Boston holds a slim 1.5 game lead over the Blue Jays in that race, giving each game between these three division rivals added significance.

Taking the mound for visiting Rays is Jeffery Springs who looks set to make his 11th start of the season. The 29-year-old lefty is 3-2 on the year with a strong 2.25 ERA although has wobbled slightly in his last two outings after an impressive stretch. Springs gave up seven earned runs over his last two outings, totaling 10 innings pitched. On the other side, Nick Pivetta gets the start for the home team Boston Red Sox. The seventh-year righty is 8-5 on the season and has an ERA of 3.23 through 16 starts so far. Pivetta has put together a strong, consistent run of starts over the past month which has seen Boston win the last four games that the 29-year-old has taken the mound. Pivetta’s last start was a two earned run, six inning performance and has now allowed only six total earned runs over his 28 innings pitched.