MLB Picks: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays (62-43) and Boston Red Sox (63-43) will close out a four-game American League East series Monday night at Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays are 19-4 in July this season

Tampa Bay had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 6-5 loss to the New York Yankees as -146 road favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total of 8. The Rays are now 7-2 on their current 10-game road trip, while they fell a half-game behind the Red Sox in the division standings. “Deja vu all over again,” commented Rays manager Joe Maddon. The club has received a major lift offensively from Wil Myers, who is hitting .474 with four home runs and 11 RBIs over a current nine-game hitting streak. Tampa Bay is 19-4 in July, with the UNDER going 17-5-1 in that situation.

Rays starting pitcher David Price (5-5, 3.75 ERA) has won back-to-back starts, including a 5-1 complete-game victory over the Red Sox last time out, as he allowed just one run and five hits. The left-hander is 4-1 with a 3.33 ERA in seven road outings, issuing eight walks and striking out 47 batters in 48.2 combined frames. In 18 career games in this series, Price has compiled a 9-5 record and 3.09 ERA.

Boston returns home after winning two of three games against the Baltimore Orioles, including a 5-0 victory as -113 road favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total for the fifth time in six contests. “We’re in a situation where we’re fighting Tampa Bay,” commented Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. “It’s something we needed.” He led the offense by going 4-for-4 with a two-run home run. Boston is 0-2 as home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with both games going UNDER the betting total.

Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (7-4, 3.78 ERA) had his personal three-game losing streak snapped last time out, but he’s still 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in four starts this month. The left-hander is 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in nine home games (eight starts) this season, with opposing hitters batting .219 against him. In 10 career games (seven starts) versus the Rays, Doubront has tallied a 2-2 record and 3.20 ERA, including a loss when matching up with Price last time out.