Many series over a team\u2019s season qualify as \u201cmake or break\u201d but the expression doesn\u2019t apply much better than it does to Tampa\u2019s four-game set with Boston this weekend. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Rays vs Red Sox Preview & Pick<\/strong> Tampa Bay Rays (82-65 through September 13)<\/strong> Through Tuesday night, Tampa\u2019s massive resurgence put it four games back of the Red Sox. A four-game series means….you do the math. This is the last time these two teams meet in the 2011 regular season.<\/p>\n Jeremy Hellickson will toe the rubber at for Tampa at Fenway Park on Thursday night. He battled Boston to a no-decision last week at home, allowing three runs over six innings. The rookie\u2019s lone trip to Fenway earlier this season yielded a win, albeit a lucky one, as he walked five and allowed five hits over 5.1 innings but allowed just two runs.<\/p>\n Boston Red Sox (86-61 through September 13)<\/strong> The Boston Red Sox finally stopped their losing skid with an 18-6 win over Toronto Tuesday night but they should still be very worried about their playoff hopes. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Injuries to their pitching staff have forced them to rely on some arms that simply shouldn\u2019t be in major-league rotations. Sorry, but John Lackey isn\u2019t good enough anymore.<\/p>\n And Kyle Weiland, Thursday\u2019s probable starter, doesn\u2019t look ready. In three big-league starts, he has just five strikeouts compared to eight walks over 14 innings. The rookie deception factor didn\u2019t help him against Tampa last week; the Rays managed six hits and three runs off him in four innings. That was without the book on him. What will they do to Weiland this time out \u2013 especially in a pressure-packed start at raucous Fenway?<\/p>\n Under is 8-1 in TB last 9 on grass. The Red Sox have plenty of fight left in them but I don\u2019t like their chances on Thursday. Weiland isn\u2019t ready to start a game with such high stakes. Hellickson, meanwhile, seems unflappable. He has the feel of a pure winner, as he battles and picks up Ws even on nights when he doesn\u2019t have his best stuff.<\/p>\n Look for Tampa to close the gap on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Thursday, September 15, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Fenway Park, Boston, MA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>SUN, NESN
\nTampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Sox -110 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 9.5<\/strong>
\n CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —><\/strong><\/a>
\n Bet now at BETONLINE —><\/strong><\/a>
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\nJeremy Hellickson (12-10, 2.96)<\/p>\n
\nKyle Weiland (0-1, 6.75)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nTB are 8-3 in their last 11 overall.
\nOver is 10-4 in Hellicksons last 14 road starts.
\nOver is 6-2 in BOS last 8 overall.
\nOver is 6-2 in BOS last 8 vs. American League East.
\nTB are 26-57 in the last 83 meetings in Boston.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n