On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox play the third game of a four-game series on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston is 75-58 following a 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay in the opening game of the series on Monday. Boston has lost two straight and the Red Sox are third in the American League East nine games behind first-place Tampa Bay.
Xander Bogaerts is batting .297 to lead Boston and the shortstop has team highs in hits with 136 and on-base percentage at .365. Third baseman Rafael Devers is the leader in home runs with 32 and RBIs with 96. On Wednesday, Boston will send Chris Sale to the mound. The left-hander is 3-0 with an ERA of 2.35, 21 Ks and 3 BBs.
Tampa Bay improved to 83-48 following its victory over the Red Sox on Monday. Brandon Lowe hit a home run on the first pitch made by Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta. Tampa Bay is one of baseball's hottest teams having won eight straight and the Rays have extended their lead at the top of the American League East to seven games over the second-place New York Yankees.
Randy Arozarena is batting .274 to lead Tampa Bay and the left fielder has a team-high 119 hits. Second baseman Brandon Lowe is the leader in home runs with 31, while designated hitter Austin Meadows is the leader in RBIs with 92. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay will send Drew Rasmussen to the mound. The right-hander is 5-1 with an ERA of 3.09, 33 Ks and 11 BBs.
