The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays open up an exciting three-game series Tuesday night at Tropicana Field
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Boston probably wishes it didn’t have an off-day Monday due to outscoring Toronto 35-6 and outhitting them 46-12 in a three-game sweep over the weekend. “That’s a good weekend. You can’t count on that very often,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “We’ve gotten contributions from pretty much one through nine in the batting order. It’s a good way to play.” The Red Sox last played the Rays in April, as both teams came into a brief two-game series a combined 3-15, with Tampa Bay tallying wins in both. Boston has recovered nicely since its rough start to the season, posting a major league-best 37-16 record since April 16. Designated-hitter David Ortiz has supplied plenty of offense during the club’s recent tear, knocking in 15 runs. Boston is 16-8 versus division opponents this year.
Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield is 3-1 with a 4.84 ERA in 15 appearances (six starts) this season and comes in off an 11-6 road win over the Yankees. He allowed five runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in that particular contest. The knuckleballer has surrendered a home run in three straight outings, while opponents are hitting .245 against him, which is an improvement from the .272 batting average he allowed last year. In 45 career games (34 starts) versus the Rays, Wakefield has registered a 21-6 record and 3.78 ERA, including a 10-4 mark and 3.40 ERA in 25 career games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay has finally returned home after an 11-game road trip that ended with a 2-1 extra-innings loss in Detroit Monday night. “Our guys, I could tell from the dugout, they were a little fatigued,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon. “I could see it. There wasn’t the same bounce in the step.” The Rays finished 6-5 on their longest road trip of the season and now welcome in the hottest team in baseball. Tonight’s contest will surely be a test due to the club arriving back in St. Petersburg at around 4 a.m. Tampa Bay is 26-22 versus right-handed starters this year and 14-16 at home.
Rays starting pitcher James Shields is 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 13 games this season and is coming off a no decision effort against the Angels on the road. In that particular outing, he allowed three runs and seven hits over seven innings in a 4-3 Tampa Bay win. Shields has posted a losing 1-3 record and 2.38 ERA in six home games this season, issuing 10 walks and registering 49 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. In 16 career games versus the Red Sox, he is 5-9 with a 5.17 ERA, giving up 13 home runs in 92 1/3 frames.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Red Sox due to their 10-1 mark versus the American League East, while the Rays are 1-4 in Game 1 of a series.
