Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays 8/4/20 - MLB Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 08/04/2020 at 11:46 AM ET

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays meet up for their first matchup of the season, the Red Sox have really struggled this season starting off 3-7 after being swept in a three-game series over the Yankees. The Rays raced off to start the season, starting 4-1 before falling in their last five games. The Rays lost 5-1 to the Orioles their last time out, completing the sweep. 

The Red Sox has been solid at the plate as a team this season hitting .257 as a team and averaging 4.6 runs per game in the first ten games of the season. Starting catcher Christian Vasquez has been huge for the Red Sox at the plate hitting .323 and four home runs while driving in 9 runs. 

The Red Sox pitching, however, has been a different story. The Red Sox come in with a team ERA of 5.79, the worst in the MLB. Opposing teams are also batting .272 against the Red Sox pitching which ranks 29th in the MLB this season. Taking the mound in this contest will be Nathan Eovaldi who has been a bright spot in a depleted pitching staff and comes in 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, striking out 8 and walking 2 in 11 innings of work this season.

The Rays pitching has kept them afloat this season boasting a 3.76 team ERA which ranks 9th in the MLB while opposing teams are batting .252 on the year. Taking the hill for the Rays will be Charlie Morton who has struggled in his opening two starts but has been a star in recent years. Over the last three seasons, Morton is 45-16 and has never posted an ERA above 3.62. 

The Rays bats have stuttered to a start this season batting .210 on the year and averaging 4.6 runs per game.

The Red Sox pitching has been abysmal all season, posting the worst ERA in the MLB this season. But they will have Nathan Eovaldi who has been solid in both his starts his season. Charlie Morton has struggled this season, but has made just two appearances and has been a force in previous years. The Red Sox lineup has been solid this season and with arguably their best pitcher taking the mound, I like their value as an underdog. Final score prediction, Boston Red Sox wins a low scoring game 5-3.

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