Rays vs Red Sox Picks & Odds (Aug 26)

• The Rays and Red Sox begin a big three-game set on Friday
• Tampa is currently first in the Wild Card race
• Find the odds, preview, and betting picks for the Rays vs Red Sox below

It’s an American League East showdown on Friday at Fenway Park as the Tampa Bay Rays (69-55, 27-32 away) visit the Boston Red Sox (60-64, 29-32 home) for the series opener of a three-game set. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET.

The Rays have yet to announce a starter, while the Red Sox send Michael Wacha to the hill.

Rays vs Red Sox Odds

Odds as of August 26th at Caesars Sportsbook

The Rays have won six straight against the Red Sox, but they’re actually a +105 underdog here.

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Rays vs Red Sox Probable Pitchers

There is a couple of options here for Tampa. Ryan Yarborough is one, who has made 15 appearances this year and nine starts. He’s gone 1-7 with a 4.43 ERA and last pitched on Sunday as he went 4.1 innings and surrendered no runs against the Royals, taking the no-decision. He’d be pitching on four days’ rest.

Another possibility is reliever Jalen Beeks. He’s made seven starts out of his 34 outings in 2022, posting a 2.58 ERA and 2-3 record. Beeks tossed a single inning on Wednesday against the Angels and would be pretty fresh if he got the call here. JT Chargois could also serve as an opener too, but he’s barely pitched this year. If that did happen, Yarborough or Beeks would eat up some innings after him.

It had to be a brutal feeling for Jalen Beeks thinking he got the third out of the inning pic.twitter.com/VymbywpTx9

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 25, 2022

For Boston, Wacha is quietly putting together a fantastic campaign. The righty owns a 2.28 ERA in 15 starts, also going 8-1. In other words, Wacha is looking like his former self from the St. Louis Cardinals days.

Michael Wacha since returning from the IL:

🔺12.2 IP
🔺6 H
🔺2 BB
🔺0 ER
🔺13 Ks

Straight up dominating, just like he did before his injury. pic.twitter.com/3l0FaPxvtZ

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) August 20, 2022

Also, the former Texas A&M star has thrown 12.2 scoreless innings across his last two appearances. On August 20th, he held the Orioles to four hits and no runs in 5.2 frames, earning his eighth win in the process.

Rays on Fire

Don’t look now, but the Rays are red-hot. Tampa has now won six in a row after sweeping the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, outscoring them 25-8 in the four-game series. That now has Kevin Cash’s group 1.5 games up in the AL Wild Card on the Toronto Blue Jays.

If Harold's having fun we're having fun pic.twitter.com/WM0slNUSTP

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 25, 2022

Drew Rasmussen gave the Rays yet another quality start in the rubber match, holding the Angels to one run on six hits in 5.1 innings. He also collected nine punchouts. Offensively Manuel Margot absolutely raked, going 4 for 5 with a double and a triple.

Red Sox Continue to Slide

Boston isn’t totally out of the playoff picture yet, but it’s looking unlikely. Before Thursday’s matchup with the Blue Jays, Alex Cora’s team had lost three consecutive games. Plus, it gets no easier with the Rays and then the Twins up next on the schedule.

Franchy here to get things started. pic.twitter.com/wQTThvRtiQ

— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 24, 2022

The Red Sox would have to go on a serious run in order to make any noise in the Wild Card because they’re currently 7.5 games behind Tampa. On a more positive note, Wacha is at least reliable. That’s a good sign for Friday.

Tampa Bay vs Boston – Last 10 Games

Rays vs Red Sox Pick

As you can see, Tampa is absolutely dominating this matchup in recent memory. However, I have a lot of belief in Wacha and it’s only a matter of time until the Rays’ winning streak ends. Take Boston here.

Pick: Red Sox moneyline -125