American League East rivals Boston and Tampa Bay hit the diamond for game two of their three game set at Tropicana Field tonight. This evening’s divisional battle between the Red Sox and Rays is scheduled to get underway at 7:10pm ET. MLB Odds at offshore book SBG Global have the hosting Rays listed as a -146 moneyline favorite; the Under 7.5 runs is favored at -120.
Boston efforts to move past Tampa Bay in the AL East standings got a shot in the arm last night as it prevailed 3-1 in its first post-All-Star break action. The Red Sox Franklin Morales rebounded from a rough start against the Yankees, limiting the Rays to two hits and no earned runs over five innings. Morales’ performance was backed up by four Boston relievers, who combined to give up zero earned runs and fan six batters in the final four innings of play.
Second year shortstop Pedro Ciriaco and David Ortiz provided the offense for the Red Sox as they teamed up for four of the team’s seven hits and the team’s three RBI.
The Red Sox will look for the series win tonight with the recently returned Clay Buchholz on the mound. Buchholz, who hit the DL about two weeks before the All-Star break with an intestinal issue, owns an 8-2 record in 14 starts despite a 5.53 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. Buchholz has earned a quality start in four of his last five outings, though, and with the exception of a miserable outing against the Marlins on June 19th, he had a tremendous month.
The Rays, who, at 45-42 hold a one game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East, will counter Buchholz with staff ace David Price. Price, an All-Star representative for Tampa Bay, has an 11-4 record and 2.82 ERA in 17 starts this season. Price, who has fanned 105 batters in 111.2 innings pitched, is 5-2 with a 2.22 at Tropicana Field. The Vanderbilt product is 6-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 career appearances opposite the Red Sox.
MLB Odds Betting Trend: The Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 games as a road dog against an L East opponent with a total between 7.5 and 8 runs.
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MLB Odds 2012 Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays: Provided by SBG Global
Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-165), Over 7.5 (+100), +136 (Moneyline)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+145), Under 7.5 (-120), -146 (Moneyline)
