Friday sees two AL East teams in prime playoff position as the Boston Red Sox (83-70) head into Tropicana Field to open a pivotal three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays (93-59).

Boston is firmly in the second spot for the AL Wild Card and is almost assured of a playoff spot barring a complete meltdown.

Meanwhile, the Rays have already clinched a playoff spot and are looking to add “AL East Division Champions” very soon as they have a five-game lead over the New York Yankees.

Before first pitch between the Red Sox and Rays, let’s run down the betting angles, review both teams and then make a prediction for this game.

Tampa Bay is a -140 favourite to win on the MLB odds, with the total set at 7.0.

MLB Betting Odds and Trends

With two power lefties on the bump for each team, it seems wild that the over/under for this game is at just 7.0 runs, but we’re going to target that, as other than that, it’s quite an even matchup.

The Red Sox are playing with a big lead on the rest of the AL Wild Card save the Yankees, and the Rays are on a six-game winning streak trying to capture the AL East Division Title.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a very top-heavy team and have been all season with Willson Contreras (.905 OPS, 4.6 WAR, 27 HR, 81 RBI) and Wilyer Abreu (.792 OPS, 5.7 WAR, 24 HR, 74 RBI) leading the way. They’ll also get Ceddanne Rafaela before the end of the season as he hasn’t played in a couple of weeks with a quad strain. Jarren Duran has taken a step back from his All-Star form, scuffling to a batting average near the Mendoza line despite 20 homers and 19 stolen bases.

Ultimately, it’s an offence that’s found enough thump to be one of the AL Wild Card teams, but has leaned heavily on Abreu and Contreras without many contributions from others. Given the mediocre state of the American League Wild Card race at this point, they’re virtually locked into the second AL Wild Card slot.

Tampa Bay Rays

On the Tampa Bay side, they’ve just been a team of streaks this season, as they’re currently on a six-game winning streak and are winners of 10 of their last 12 games. Their offence in general has been solid enough, with the Rays 13th in runs scored and fifth in OPS, but they’ve been absolutely carried by MVP candidate Junior Caminero. Currently second behind Houston’s Yordan Alvarez in the MVP odds, Caminero is hitting the cover off the ball, with a .895 OPS, plus 41 HR and 96 RBI.

Not to be outdone is steady veteran Yandy Diaz, who is hitting a robust .295, with an .812 OPS, plus 22 HR and 81 RBI. Add in Jonathan Aranda (.278, 21 HR, 90 RBI), and you’ve got a potent trio of hitters ready to make some playoff noise.

It’s the stellar pitching from the Rays that has carried them this far to the top of the division, with four starters sporting an ERA under 3.80 and the seventh-best ERA in MLB. They’re also baseball’s best home team with a robust 53-25 clip.

Besides Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan, it might be baseball’s most under-the-radar and unassuming rotation, with journeyman Nick Martinez and Friday’s starter Ian Seymour backing them up.

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Red Sox vs. Rays?

For the visiting Red Sox, it’s lefty Ranger Suarez on the bump and he’s been very good in his last two starts in September, allowing just one earned run in 14 innings pitched to get the decision in both contests against the Orioles and Royals.

Opposing Suarez for the Rays is fellow left-hander Ian Seymour, who put up a 3,86 ERA in August, has been less than solid in his two September starts, giving up five earned runs in just nine innings combined. We’ll see if Seymour can right the ship.

This game should be a great one, but we are going with the over/under total, as this game is very close on both ends, but a seven-run game total is a low bar to clear. Even with the solid pitching, this should be attainable for both teams.

Best bet: Over 7.0 runs (-122)

RED SOX

Away

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