Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays 10/8/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Tropicana Field will play host to Game Two of the AL Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. In the series opener, Boston went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base during a 5-0 road loss. SP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1) gave up two runs and recorded just five outs in a losing effort for the Red Sox.

Thirty-two year old southpaw Chris Sale (5-1 3.16 ERA) will make his tenth start of the season for the Red Sox. Through 42 plus innings, Sale has struck out 52 batters and allowed just six home runs. 

The Tampa Bay Rays were 23 games above .500 at home during the regular season and feature one of the best bullpens in baseball. On Thursday, Tampa Bay SP Shane McClanahan (1-0) gave up five hits across five frames to earn the win. OF Randy Arozarena homered and scored three runs out of the leadoff spot for the Rays.

Rookie right-hander Shane Baz (2-0 2.03 ERA) will make his fourth career major league start for the Rays. Through 13 plus innings, Baz has fanned 18 batters and owns a minuscule 0.68 WHIP.