Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays 10/4/22

Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays 10/4/22
Tue 4th October 2022

The Boston Red Sox (-180) host the Tampa Bay Rays (+150) at Fenway Park on Tuesday. The early total was set at 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105). The Red Sox (76-84) took Monday’s series opener 4-3, their fifth head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Reliever John Schreiber threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Matt Barnes picked up his seventh save with a scoreless ninth. Rafael Devers went 3 for 3 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Wander Franco was 3 for 4 with a solo home run and a triple for the Rays (86-74).

ON THE MOUND

Jeffrey Springs (9-4, 2.56 ERA) is slated to start for Tampa Bay. The LHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-1 home defeat against the Guardians on Thursday. He scattered three hits while striking out five in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Red Sox this season, Springs has allowed eight earned runs over 15 innings (0-1, 4.80). He has struck out 17 and walked six. Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. Eovaldi made four appearances against the Rays in 2021, all as the starter, striking out 31 and walking seven over 26.1 innings (2-1, 2.39).In his last start on Thursday, Eovaldi took a no-decision at home against the Orioles. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on five hits, striking out three, in the 5-3 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.1, while slashing worse across the board (.181/.260/.294). Against right-handed pitchers like Eovaldi this season, the Rays have a .677 OPS. Yandy Diaz is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .804 OPS in 345 at-bats. Boston is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.5 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.210/.238/.302). The Sox have a .754 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a 1.015 OPS over 117 at-bats, Xander Bogaerts has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is on a three-game losing streak away from Tropicana Field, bringing their record to 35-44 in 2022. The Rays have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.1 runs. Boston has won four in a row at home. The Sox are 41-38 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. Boston is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Fenway Park despite an average scoreline favoring Tampa Bay (4.9-4.5).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rays are third in the AL East, 12 games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 22 games behind the Yankees.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Tampa Bay Rays (-115)

Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with betmgm image today!

If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

SportsTips covers all the latest betting, odds, picks & predictions news when it comes to major American sports like NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL. If you want to stay up to date with the latest information, SportsTips has you covered!