MLB Predictions: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays (11-15) and Boston Red Sox (12-14) will open up an American League East series at Fenway Park Tuesday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox SP John Lackey is 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA in his last four starts against the Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay has dropped five of its last six games, including a 7-3 setback to the Chicago White Sox as -129 road favorites Monday, while going OVER the betting total for the fifth time in that span. The Rays have been getting solid production out of second baseman Ben Zobrist, who has reached base safely in 23 of 26 games and is batting .407 in his career against John Lackey. Tampa Bay is 4-3 as road underdogs of +150 to +175 the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 5-2 in that situation.

Rays starting pitcher Erik Bedard (0-1, 7.45 ERA) picked up a 9-7 home loss to the Minnesota Twins last time out, as he allowed four runs and five hits over four innings of work. The left-hander originally signed a minor league contract with the franchise on Feb. 14, but exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and was released March 25. In 14 career appearances (13 starts) against the Red Sox, Bedard has compiled a 5-5 record and 4.68 ERA.

Boston had its two-game winning streak snapped last time out, as he suffered a 7-1 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays as -109 road favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8.5. The Red So have been led by first baseman Mike Napoli offensively in the early going this season, as he’s posted team-best numbers with a .304 average, five home runs and 15 RBIs. Boston is 2-2 as home favorites of -150 to -175 this season.

Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey (3-2, 4.22 ERA) snapped a personal two-game losing streak last time out, as he secured a 5-1 home win over the New York Yankees—allowing one run and seven hits over eight innings of work. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in three home appearances, with opposing hitters batting just .278 against him with no home runs. Lackey has gone 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA in his last four outings against the Rays.