Red Sox vs Rays MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The AL East leading Tampa Bay Devil Rays will aim to continue their winning ways when they take on division bottom dwellers, the Boston Red Sox, in Game 1 of a quick two-game set on Wednesday night in Florida.
BOS: Clay Bucholz (4-1, 8.31 ERA ) v TAM: Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.95 ERA)
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.
Broadcast: Boston (NESN) Tampa Bay (Sun Sports)
Spread: Rays -138
Over/Under: 8.5
But could the Red Sox derail their plans to stay atop the standings?
Winners of five straight, Boston seems like it may have finally turned a corner, and will send right-hander Clay Bucholz to the mound on Wednesday to try and keep the streak alive.
The 27-year old has four wins to his credit this far in the season, and considering the Sox bullpen struggles, he’s definitely been the most effective starter, despite his 8.31 ERA.
He pitched efficiently into the seventh inning and as the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 7-5 to snap a three-game skid over the weekend . More importantly, it marked the first time this season Buchholz allowed less than five earned runs, so maybe he’ll start to settle into a groove.
In his first showdown with Tampa Bay this year, Buchholz earned the win, despite allowing five earned runs over seven innings of work. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
He will start opposite of Rays righty Jeremy Hellickson who is coming off a no-decision after giving up three runs in 6 2-3 innings of Friday’s 4-3 loss to Baltimore.
The 25-year old is still 3-0 with a 2.95 ERA in seven starts, with three straight no-decisions.
However, he did turn in a much better effort than he did in his previous outing which only lasted 3 2/3 innings. Hellickson has now allowed three runs or less in five straight starts and will look to get himself back into the win column against the Red Sox. No easy task, as he surrendered a season-high five runs over five innings in his only start versus Boston earlier this season.
Including a homer run from Boston’s David Ortiz, who drove in five runs and hit one of Boston’s five home runs in that one.
Big Papi has been on a tear of late, and has 27 RBs, 8 HRs, and is batting .353 for Boston.
Meanwhile Luke Scott continues leading the Rays offense with 26 RBIS, and 7 HRs of his own.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Tampa Bay– While Boston pounded Hellickson in their last meeting, I look for the Rays to rattle Bucholz early in this one
