Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox Game 3 Preview & Baseball Odds

Written October 13, 2008 by Jack Jones

The Boston Red Sox know they let a chance to go for the kill get a way when they lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings on Saturday night, but they are still feeling pretty confident with the series tied and heading back to Fenway Park. The baseball odds makers seem pretty confident too, listing the Red Sox as -177 favorites over the Rays with the total set at 8.5.

Boston’s Game 1 victory was all about the excellent pitching of Daisuke Matsuzaka and James Shields, but Game 2 was a slugfest won by the Rays, 9-8. There were a playoff record seven home runs and it took 11 innings to finally come away with a winner.

The Rays think that they now have the momentum in the series, but the Red Sox players disagree, saying they have home field advantage now and should be able to take the series. Boston has reason to be confident, going 56-25 at home this year and are now 12-3 in their last 15 playoff games in front of the friendlies.

More good news is that Jonathan Lester will take the mound for Boston, and he hasn’t lost at Fenway since back in April. Including the playoffs Lester is 11-0 with a 1.78 ERA in his last 15 at home, with the four games without a decision also going Boston’s way. Against the Rays at home he’s 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA. This postseason he’s gone 2-0 without giving up an earned run in 19 2/3 innings.

The Red Sox also won their first seven home games against Tampa before losing the last two in mid-September, the first series loss against the Rays at Fenway since 1999. Boston is now 32-7 in their last 39 games at Fenway against Tampa Bay. If you think Boston will keep it up, bet the Red Sox at -177 at Bookmaker and get a 25% signup bonus!

The Rays are going to need a performance out of Matt Garza, who has struggled this year on the road, going 4-6 with a 4.53 ERA. He gave up five runs, seven hits, and four walks to the White Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS and the Rays lose 5-3. He gave up seven runs in 5 1/3 innings this year at Fenway back on June 3rd. If you think he can come out of his funk for this one, the best odds on Tampa Bay are at Sportsbook.com, where you get a 100% bonus on your first winning wager.

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