Apr 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Members of the Boston Red Sox grounds crew prepare the infield during a rain delay between the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Predictions:
With all of the pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery for the Rays, with all of the injuries to their position players, you would think that, on paper, the Red Sox should take at least 2 of 3 games, if not a sweep, even though they are the away team.
On paper, the Red Sox were also supposed to be one of the most explosive offenses in the majors.
With a few of their veterans, not named Hanley Ramirez, struggling at the plate, early in the season, Boston will look to regroup against an upstart pitching staff that is playing better than the Rays could have wished. The Red Sox are hitting .239 as a team, for 17th place among all MLB teams, while the Rays stand 20th at .226. If Boston can take advantage of runners in scoring position, they can add to their 65 RBIs and likely win the games, compared to a weakened Rays lineup that depends much on two men for their offense (51 team RBIs).
Matchup One Prediction: Boston Red Sox win a high-scoring affair.
Matchup Two Prediction: Boston Red Sox win, Kelly keeps the Rays under a run.
Matchup Three Winner: Tampa Bay Rays win, Buchholz searches for answers while Red Sox bats search for clues against Odorizzi.
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