Though they\u2019re comfortably in position for a playoff berth of some sort, the Boston Red Sox still need to be at their best every game in September if they want to retake the American League East from the New York Yankees. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Red Sox vs Rays Preview & Pick<\/strong> Boston Red Sox (85-57 through September 7)<\/strong><\/p>\n John Lackey (12-11, 6.11)<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s last six games (through Wednesday) are a microcosm of its season. Three times over that span, the Red Sox scored 10 or more runs. And, three times over that span, they allowed 10 or more. The offense is doing almost all the heavy lifting while Boston\u2019s pitching continues to disappoint.<\/p>\n Injuries are more to blame than anything else. Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow) and Clay Buchholz (back) are on the 60-day DL; Erik Bedard will likely miss his scheduled Friday start with a knee injury; Josh Beckett has a sprained ankle.<\/p>\n John Lackey will start in Bedard\u2019s place Friday night. What\u2019s his excuse? He\u2019s been terrible this season. Now, more than ever, Boston needs him to step up. Lackey has allowed between three and six earned runs in eight straight starts. Hey, he\u2019s consistent.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Rays (78-64)<\/strong> It sure feels like Tampa\u2019s goose is cooked as a playoff hopeful in the American League. However, if the Rays were to sweep Boston this weekend, they\u2019d close to within four games of the Wild Card, so they have something to play for. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Wade Davis is the picture of mediocrity. Average control, ho-hum strikeout rate, average ERA, average record. He\u2019s just a guy. When he pitches against the Red Sox, however, he\u2019s much worse than just a guy.<\/p>\n Davis is 0-2 with 14 earned runs in 11.1 innings over three career outings against Boston. The Red Sox own his soul. David Ortiz is 2 for 5 with a homer off Davis and will be the guy to watch on Friday.<\/p>\n Over is 25-10-5 in BOS last 40 Fri. games. The last time Lackey pitched at Tropicana field, he was all over the map, allowing 10 hits and four runs, three earned, over 5.2 innings. He also struck out seven Rays and got the victory. I\u2019d expect a similar result on Friday. Lackey won\u2019t necessarily be effective but he\u2019ll do just enough to win since Davis should struggle against Boston as usual.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, September 9, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>NESN, SUN
\nBoston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays Betting Lines from Bodog.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Rays -102 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 9.5<\/strong>
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\nWade Davis (9-8, 4.50)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nBOS are 37-18 in their last 55 road games.
\nOver is 8-2 in Lackeys last 10 starts overall.
\nOver is 5-2-2 in TB last 9 on astroturf.
\nUnder is 62-25-6 in TB last 93 home games.
\nUnder is 20-5-1 in Davis’ last 26 home starts.
\nUnder is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Tampa Bay.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n