On Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox open a three-game series on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Boston was victorious on Sunday 5-0 over the Baltimore Orioles as J.D. Martinez hit two home runs to lead the offensive attack and Eduardo Rodriquez quieted the Orioles bats. Boston has now won four of its last five and is off on Monday.
Tampa Bay lost 5-2 on Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels and returns home to host Boston Tuesday. Tampa Bay could not hit Shohei Ohtani as the Japanese-star struck out nine Rays’ hitters and gave up just six hits in 7 2/3 innings. The loss snapped Tampa Bay’s six-game winning streak. Boston remains tied atop the AL East with New York while Tampa Bay is a distant third nine games behind.
Mookie Betts leads Boston with a .365 batting average and team high in home runs with 15 and hits with 61. J.D. Martinez, who is tied for the team leads in home runs with 15, leads in RBIs with 41. Boston has a team batting average of .270 while opposing hitters are averaging .232 at the plate against Red Sox pitching. On Tuesday, Boston will send ace Chris Sale to the mound. The southpaw this season is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.29, 87 Ks and 15 BBs.
Mallex Smith leads the Rays with a .303 batting average. C.J. Cron has the team lead in hits with 49 and home runs with 11. Denard Span leads in RBIs with 28. Tampa Bay has a team batting average of .264, while opposing hitters are averaging .239 at the plate against Rays pitching. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay will send Jake Faria to the mound. The right-hander this season is 3-2 with an ERA of 5.20, 35 Ks and 21 BBs.
