Red Sox at Rays 5/24/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Boston Red Sox conclude a three-game series on the road with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

The Red Sox won the opening game of the series Tuesday night 4-2 as Chris Sales fanned nine Rays’ hitters over 7 2/3 innings and Mookie Betts hit his 16th home run of the season, which leads the majors. Betts ha one other hit in the game to raise his batting average of .368. Thus far early in the season, Boston has won 21 of 30 games against American League East teams, including 8 wins in 11 games against Tampa Bay. Willy Adams debuted in the majors for Tampa Bay and homered of Sale in his second time at bat. Sale with the victory is now 5-1 on the season. The left-hander allowed just four hits and has given up three or less runs in all 11 starts this season. Mookie Betts leads Boston with a .368 batting average and a team high in hits with 63 and home runs with 16. J.D. Martinez leads the team in RBIs with 41. Boston has a team batting average of .269, while opposing hitters are averaging .232 at the plate against Red Sox pitching. On Thursday, the Red Sox will send Drew Pomeranz to the mound. The right-hander this season is 1-2 with an ERA of 5.97, 28 Ks and 16 BBs.

Matt Duffy leads the Rays with a .321 batting average. C.J. Cron is the team leader in hits with 49 and home runs with 11. Denard Span leads the Rays with 28 RBIs. Tampa Bay has a team batting average of .263 while opposing hitters are averaging .239 at the plate against Rays pitching. Tampa Bay will send Blake Snell to the mound on Thursday. The left-hander this season is 5-3 with an ERA of 3.07, 61 Ks and 19 BBs.