Jeff Michaels

THE PLAY: F5 Tampa Bay Rays -164 Patrick Sandoval (LHP), Griffin Jax (RHP) Must Start

(911) Boston Red Sox at (912) Tampa Bay Rays: F5 Moneyline

2% F5 Tampa Bay Rays -164 Patrick Sandoval (LHP), Griffin Jax (RHP) Must Start

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

This is a starting-pitching mismatch in favor of Tampa Bay.

The Rays have won 7 of their last 8 games (87.5%), with those victories coming by an average margin of 3.6 runs per game.

Tampa Bay

Jax has posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.118 WHIP in 32 appearances this season. As a starter, he has been even better, recording a 3.02 ERA and 1.112 WHIP across 21 starts.

He has been especially sharp recently, producing a 2.15 ERA and 1.023 WHIP over his last six starts.

Tampa Bay has also dominated at home against left-handed starters, going 19-4 (82.6%). That record improves to 8-0 (100.0%) when the game total is 8 runs or higher.

The Rays have won 5 straight home day games, averaging 7.6 runs scored and 3.2 runs allowed during that stretch.

Boston

The Red Sox are just 4-6 (40.0%) since September 8, with their only two wins coming as substantial favorites of -190 and -225.

Their offense has also cooled off. Over the last five games, Boston has averaged only 2.8 runs and 6.2 hits per game.

Sandoval has struggled throughout the season, posting a 4.99 ERA and 1.786 WHIP in 12 starts. His recent form has been worse, with a 5.32 ERA and 1.690 WHIP over his last five starts.

The road matchup is particularly concerning, as Sandoval owns a 5.60 road ERA and 1.793 WHIP.