Rays vs Red Sox Game 3 Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers

• The Rays and Red Sox meet at Fenway in Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday
• The series is currently tied 1-1
• Find the odds, preview, and prediction below

Following an absolute slugfest in Game 2, the Tampa Bay Rays will be looking to bounce back on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. The first pitch is set for 4:07 PM EST.

Boston banged out a whopping 20 hits in a 14-6 victory on Friday as they tied up the series at one. In the process, the Red Sox smacked five homers off Rays pitching.

Tamps will likely go with Drew Rasmussen here, while Boston hands Nathan Eovaldi the ball, who tossed an absolute gem in the Wild Card Game vs. New York.

Rays vs Red Sox Odds

Odds as of October 8th at Fanduel.

Probable Pitchers

While it’s not yet confirmed, Rasmussen is the heavy favorite to get the ball on Sunday for Tampa. The 26-year-old made 35 appearances this season, but only 10 were as a starter. However, he was extremely effective as a whole, posting a 4-1 record and 2.84 ERA in 76 innings, striking out 73, and walking 23 batters. Since about mid-August, Rasmussen has been in the rotation. He doesn’t typically pitch very deep into ballgames though, with his longest outing lasting just five innings.

All eyes on Drew!

Drew Rasmussen the likely @RaysBaseball starter for Game 3 has 2-0 record! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/y0bL22HZFF

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) October 9, 2021

In Rasmussen’s most recent outing, he tossed five frames of shutout baseball against the Astros. In fact, he’s allowed only two runs in his last three appearances. The former Oregon State standout is typically very reliable vs Boston too, compiling a 2.30 ERA in five games, and has only surrendered two runs in nine innings at Fenway in two starts. Rasmussen also collected victories in both outings.

Rasmussen vs Eovaldi

Eovaldi was lit up by the Yankees in his second-last start of the regular season but boy, did he bounce back in the Wild Card. The hard-throwing righty went 5.1 innings, limiting New York to only four hits and one run while striking out eight. On the year, Eovaldi was one of Alex Cora’s most reliable arms, posting an 11-9 record and 3.75 ERA in 32 appearances. His command was also immaculate, issuing a mere 33 walks in 182.1 innings. The 31-year-old is famously known for showing up on the big stage as well:

https://twitter.com/MLBStats/status/1445576702130671619

It will be important that he gets ahead of these Rays hitters so he can either go to the high 90’s fastball or knee-buckling curveball to put hitters away. Tampa is an opponent that Eovaldi is very familiar with, making four starts against them in 2021 while compiling an impressive 2.39 ERA. He also has an ERA just over three at Fenway Park.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

The Rays were still able to put up six runs on the board in Game 2, but most of their damage was done in the first inning, where they put up a five-spot. Jordan Luplow blasted a grand-slam off Chris Sale and chased him after just one inning, but Tanner Houck shut the door in relief with five frames of one-run baseball. Tampa still had eight hits, but their pitching immensely struggled to slow down Boston. Shane Baz lasted a mere 2.1 innings, while Colin McChugh, Matt Wisler, and Michael Wacha all got hit around.

NEVER FEAR JORDAN LUPLOW IS HERE pic.twitter.com/5HVERcSRXb

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 8, 2021

The Red Sox responded in loud fashion on Friday after being shut out in the series opener. Five hitters had at least three hits apiece, with Kike Hernandez leading the way with a 5-for-6 day. He crushed three doubles and a solo homer. The ball couldn’t stop leaving the yard either, with Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, Alex Verdugo, and JD Martinez all going deep as well. While Sale struggled again, the pen did a fantastic job of limiting the damage. Aside from Houck’s stellar outing, Ryan Brasier, Hansel Robles, and Matt Barnes threw the ball extremely well.

Franchise record for most HR hit in a postseason game. pic.twitter.com/hRF8tsGsJC

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 9, 2021

Rays vs Red Sox Game 3 Prediction

After getting blown out, I expect Tampa Bay to come out of the gates firing on Sunday. However, I think it will be a close game, with Eovaldi keeping the Red Sox in it. Rasmussen has been successful against Boston and that will continue. Take the Rays on the moneyline.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays moneyline (+108)