Friday, August 29, 2014

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Boston Red Sox will send Anthony Ranaudo (2 – 0, 4.50 ERA) to the hill to face the Tampa Bay Rays and Chris Archer (8 – 6, 3.09 ERA).  Ranaudo will make his 3rd start as Archer makes his 27th.

Anthony Ranaudo is expected to get recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to make the start.  Ranaudo has been up before and he has looked good in his first 2 Major League starts.  In his last start earlier this month, Ranaudo allowed 4 runs on 8 hits (including 2 homers) in 6 innings. He walked a batter and struck out 1.  Ranaudo was impressive at Pawtucket and compiled a record of 14 – 4 with a 2.61 ERA in 24 starts.

Ranaudo has never faced the Rays but if he pitches as well as he has in his other starts, he could add another victory.

Chris Archer turned in a solid performance in his last start but he still didn’t get the decision.  In 7 innings of work, Archer allowed just a run on 6 hits.  He struck out 6 batters while walking just 1.   Archer is 4 - 1 in his last 10 starts but he could have easily had a few more victories if his offense had produced runs earlier in his starts. Last season, Archer went 9 – 7 with a 3.22 ERA in 23 starts.

In 2013, Archer was 0 – 2 with a 5.19 ERA in his 2 starts against the Red Sox.  This season, he is 0 – 1 in 2 starts against Boston.    

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 56-72-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.5

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 59-66-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

08/27/14 DH David Ortiz Foot questionable
08/25/14 SS Xander Bogaerts Concussion 7-day DL (8/23)
08/01/14 RF Shane Victorino Back 15-day DL (7/30)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)

Tampa Bay Rays

08/26/14 CF Kevin Kiermaier Neck questionable
07/18/14 C Ryan Hanigan Oblique 15-day DL (7/9)
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 60-day DL (6/22), out for season
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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