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Red Sox, Rays battle for first place, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game series on Tuesday night with a key pitching matchup between two studs. Scott Kazmir will face Daisuke Matsuzaka in a tantalizing matchup. MLB oddsmakers at Betonline.com currently have the Boston Red Sox at -157 betting odds vs Tampa Bay Devil Rays (+167) heading into this MLB picks matchup. Both teams are fighting for first place in the American League East and will four more times (three games in Tampa Bay) after Tuesday. The Rays had lost five of their previous six games heading into the series with Boston and they better wake up quickly or their miniscule lead in the division will disappear. Kazmir had struggled in the month of August but has now strung together 11.1 scoreless innings (two starts). In that span, he’s struck out 13 batters, walked eight and allowed just four hits. But both starts were at home and he’s been much better in his own backyard.  At Tropicana Field, Kazmir is 7-1 with a 2.10 ERA. On the road, Kazmir is 4-5 with a 3.96 ERA. He’s also given up nine home runs in 63.2 innings pitched on the road versus five home runs in 68.2 innings pitched at home. He’s started twice against the Red Sox this season and has allowed 13 hits and seven earned runs in only nine innings pitched. Matsuzaka has sparkled in his second season in the Majors, posting a 16-2 record with a 2.88 ERA. Unlike Kazmir, though, Dice-K has actually pitched better away from home. Dice-K has yet to drop a decision on the road and is 7-0 with a 2.67 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting just .189 against him on the road. At home, Matsuzaka is 9-2 with a 3.05 ERA and opposing hitters are batting .226 against him. He’s started once against Tampa Bay this season, lasting five innings and allowing just two hits and one earned run. For more props and odds, visit BetOnline.com. BetOnline.com is a top rated online sportsbook providing reliable sports betting to millions of online betting customers. BetOnline.com also offers MLB football betting, live MLB betting lines, props and futures.
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