Red Sox vs. Rays MLB Odds, Sharp Betting Pick: Wiseguys & Experts Aligned on Thursday Night’s ALDS Game 1

Red Sox vs. Rays MLB Odds, Sharp Betting Pick: Wiseguys & Experts Aligned on Thursday Night’s ALDS Game 1 article feature image
Credit:

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images. Pictured: Rafael Devers.

Red Sox vs. Rays MLB Odds

Red Sox Odds+135
Rays Odds-158
Over/Under7.5 (+100/-120)
Time8:07 p.m. ET
TVFox Sports 1

The Red Sox march into their ALDS Game 1 matchup in Tampa Bay riding high. Boston won their final three regular-season games before wrapping up a 6-2 win over their rival Yankees in the wildcard matchup on Tuesday night.

Boston will have lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound, and the Rays will start lefty Shane McClanahan.

Tampa Bay won the regular-season series between these two teams 11-8 and split the last four games of the series.

Despite the Red Sox being the underdog, the spread currently stands at Boston +1.5, showing a general faith in the Red Sox to keep things objectively close.

The big lefthander, Rodriguez, gives Boston bettors plenty of reason to have some faith. He has been solid on the season with a 13-8 record and 4.74 ERA.

Rodriguez's last two starts against the Rays have been night and day.

On September 7, he gave up six earned runs in less than four innings of work.

On September 2, Rodriguez was lights-out as he pitched six innings of four-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts without surrendering any earned runs.

Tampa Bay's offense can produce big-time, but their slugging percentage shows how often the big play sparks their wins compared to their less impressive .242 team batting average.

If Rodriguez and the Boston bullpen can keep the ball from flying into the Tropicana Field stands, there is a solid chance they can pull off their Game 1 upset bid.

Here's how our latest MLB PRO Report breaks down Thursday's Game 1 between Boston and Tampa Bay.

Red Sox vs. Rays MLB Sharp Betting Pick