Sunday, September 13, 2015
Tropicana Field
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
Probable Pitchers: Rich Hill (0-0) vs. Drew Smyly (2-2)
The Boston Red Sox head to Tropicana Field on Sunday to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Rich Hill is the probable starter for the Red Sox and he'll face Drew Smyly of the Rays. The opening line for this matchup has Boston at +127 and Tampa Bay at -137. The over/under was set at 8. The Red Sox, with a 66-74 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 75-59 over/under record. The Rays are 76-64 against the run line and have a 64-66 over/under record. They cover the spread 54% of the time.
The Red Sox show up with a 66-74 record, including 27-39 on the road. Starting pitcher Rich Hill is making his season debut for the Red Sox so we don't have any stats for him at this point. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 4.48 and they've given up 457 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .265 against the Red Sox bullpen while walking 158 times and striking out 381 times. Boston is averaging 7.49 strikeouts per game while getting 9.39 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 26th in baseball in team earned run average at 4.53.
Boston ranks 5th in the league in team batting average at .267 while hitting .237 on the road. Ranked at 3rd in the league in on-base percentage, the Red Sox sit at .327 and they hold a .417 team slugging percentage. Xander Bogaerts leads the team in hits with 169 while the team ranks 3rd in baseball with 9.29 hits per game.
Tampa Bay is 33-33 at home while holding a 69-71 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 3.59, Drew Smyly will come into this game holding a 2-2 record and a 1.20 WHIP. The Rays have a record of 5-3 over the 42.2 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 42 hits. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-4. His teammates score an average of 5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.72 and they have given up 408 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .231 against the Rays bullpen while walking 169 times and striking out 452 times. Tampa Bay is averaging 8.54 strikeouts per game while getting 8.06 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 7th in the league in team earned run average at 3.69.
They rank 22nd in the league in team batting average with a .251 average while hitting .246 at home. Ranked at 18th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rays sit at .314 and they hold a .402 team slugging percentage. Evan Longoria leads the team in hits with 142 while the team ranks 22nd in baseball with 8.49 hits a game.
The Red Sox have committed 84 errors and have combined for 1,409 assists and 3,742 put outs leading to a .984 team fielding percentage. The Rays have committed 85 errors on the season with 1,202 assists and 3,764 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .983 on the year.
Boston Red Sox Betting Trends
The Boston Red Sox are 75-59 against the over/under so far this season
The Boston Red Sox are 66-74 against the run line so far this season
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends
The Tampa Bay Rays are 64-66 against the over/under so far this season
The Tampa Bay Rays are 76-64 against the run line so far this season
Injuries to Watch
Boston Red Sox
09/12/15 3B Brock Holt Back is not expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
09/05/15 LF Hanley Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/27)
08/28/15 P Clay Buchholz Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (7/11); out for season
08/15/15 P Steven Wright Concussion Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/15)
08/11/15 P Koji Uehara Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/8), out for season
05/29/15 P Brandon Workman Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/3)
05/28/15 P Anthony Varvaro Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/29)
05/13/15 P Justin Masterson Arm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/13)
04/04/15 C Christian Vazquez Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/30), out for season
Tampa Bay Rays
08/27/15 CF Desmond Jennings Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/26)
08/26/15 C Curt Casali Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/25)
08/21/15 P Jake McGee Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/19)
05/09/15 P Alex Cobb Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
04/29/15 P Kirby Yates Pectoral Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/18/15 P Jeff Beliveau Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/22), out for season
Guy's Pick: Take the Red Sox
Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here
Read more articles by Guy Bruhn
Get all of Today's Free MLB Picks
Get all of Today's Expert MLB Picks