The Tampa Bay Rays (78-81) are preparing to face their rivals, the Boston Red Sox (80-79) in a pivotal clash in the American League East at Fenway Park. This preview is crafted before the Thursday matchups. Young right-hander Taj Bradley will take the mound for the Rays, while the Red Sox will counter with righty Nick Pivetta.
Rays Focus on Future Development
Although the Tampa Bay Rays have shown some promise recently, they are officially out of the playoff race. Their offensive performance has been lackluster, currently tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 28th in Major League Baseball with a .670 team OPS, averaging merely 3.74 runs per game. Notably, the team excels in base-stealing, ranking fourth with 178 stolen bases against 52 caught stealing. First baseman Yandy Diaz has stood out, boasting a .282/.324/.424 batting line alongside 22 home runs and 65 RBIs. The Rays are looking to build momentum for the 2025 season, as their current path is about development rather than immediate victories.
Taj Bradley, the young right-hander, will start for the Rays. In his 24 appearances, he has a record of 7-11, with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 132.0 innings pitched. His effectiveness is highlighted by a .238 opposing batting average. Bradley’s last outing was a success against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed just one run over five innings, showcasing his potential as a future ace.
Red Sox Aim for Strong Finish
The Boston Red Sox have already been eliminated from postseason contention but have maintained a competitive spirit. Offensively, they have fared well, posting a .253/.320/.425 slash line and averaging 4.67 runs per game. They are also tied for eighth in the league with 193 home runs. Left fielder Tyler O’Neill has emerged as a key player, contributing significantly with an .847 OPS, 31 home runs, and 61 RBIs. As the season winds down, the Red Sox are focused on closing out on a high note.
Nick Pivetta will be the starting pitcher for Boston. He has made 26 appearances this season, with 25 being starts, and holds a 6-11 record accompanied by a 4.21 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP across 139.0 innings. His control has been impressive, with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of 166 strikeouts against 435 walks. Pivetta recently earned a win against the Minnesota Twins, allowing only an unearned run over five innings.
Best Bets for Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have demonstrated stronger performance in this matchup and are likely to dictate the game’s outcome. When comparing the last seven games, the two starting pitchers have shown contrasting trends. Taj Bradley has struggled recently, posting a 1-4 record with a 6.38 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 36.2 innings. Meanwhile, Nick Pivetta has performed better, with a 1-4 record but a more favorable 3.82 ERA, alongside a notable 12:39 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 37.2 innings. Given these disparities, the prediction leans towards a Red Sox victory at home.
