Red Sox Game Today: Red Sox vs Rays Lineup, Odds, Prediction, Pick, Pitcher, TV Channel for August 31
As Albert Einstein supposedly said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results,” and so here we are again, preparing for a Boston Red Sox game.
The Red Sox are wrapping up one of the most frustrating months of baseball in recent franchise history, and the first month of this season in which they were not in first place for at least one day.
It’s crazy to think that on July 30, they were still atop the AL East, and now, on August 31, they sit in third place, nine games out. They’re also clinging to a 34-32 road record, which could be lost by the time this series is over.
Frustration is understandable. A few key players are sidelined with COVID-19 (and the Red Sox are one of the only teams who never reached MLB’s vaccination threshold), and the majority of the team has just been underperforming to an appalling degree.
Many have maintained that this is understandable, as the 2021 Red Sox weren’t expected to be a good team in the first place. I disagree with that stance; from the second series of April until late July, the 2021 Sox showed us that they were better than what they’ve been in August. I’m only holding them to the standard they set for themselves, and so should you.
Regardless, let’s wrap up this month with one more game…
What Time is the Red Sox Game Today?
First pitch today is scheduled for 7:10 PM EST.
What Channel is the Red Sox Game on Today?
Today’s Red Sox game is available on NESN, Bally Sports Sun, and MLB.TV (blackout restrictions may apply).
Red Sox vs Rays Odds Today
Despite Ryan Yarbrough’s terrible pitching against the Sox this season, Brad Peacock is apparently even worse. The Rays are favored on the moneyline at -147 (bet $147 to win $100) and the Sox are +137 (bet $100 to win $137).
The spread has Boston +1.5 at -150 (best $150 to win $100) and TB -1.5 at +130 (bet $100 to win $130).
If the total number of runs is your bag, the over/under is 9.0 tonight. It’s -105 on the over (bet $105 to win $100) and -115 on the under (bet $115 to win $100).
Red Sox Pitcher Today: Brad Peacock
As of 12 PM EST on Tuesday, the Red Sox starter is TBD.
Whoever it is will go up against southpaw Yarbrough, who has a 4.57 ERA over 24 games (18 starts) this season. He’s struck out 101 batters and issued 23 walks over 128 innings of work.
Over two starts and an opener game (he pitched innings 2-6) in August, he has a 4.50 ERA over 14 innings.
Yarbrough has only pitched six or more innings once since the start of July, which is notable, considering he had at least two six-inning appearances every month prior, including a complete game against the Yankees on June 3.
The Sox have hit Yarbrough well over his career. In 14 games against him, they’ve slashed .285/.341/.515 with a .856, 13 home runs, and an average of only 3.3 strikeouts per game. He has a career 6.99 ERA and just 46 strikeouts against them over 56 2/3 innings.
This will be the fourth time the Sox face Yarbrough this season, and a good pummeling of the pitcher could be the momentum they need to get back on track in September. They’ve tagged him for five or more earned runs in each of the three games they’ve faced him in so far this year, and have a 1.031 OPS against him. No other opposing lineup has higher than a .915 against the 29-year-old lefty.
Of course, the way the Sox have been playing lately, the fact that Yarbrough has a 12.00 ERA against them this year might mean he no-hits them tonight for 7 innings. Making Yarbrough look like Cy Young would be a very fitting way for them to end this month.
Update:
The Red Sox will start veteran Brad Peacock, whom they acquired on Monday in a minor-league trade with Cleveland.
Peacock made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2011. His best seasons were with the Astros between 2016-2018, and he hasn’t pitched at the big-league level since last year, when he appeared in three games for the Astros and had a 7.71 ERA.
Peacock is also going on short rest, as he pitched 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
All in all, not great.
Red Sox Starting Lineup
Check back later for today’s lineup!
Red Sox vs Rays Prediction Today
With the announcement that Peacock will be the starter, I’m changing my pick to the Rays. Is this season over yet?
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Red Sox vs Rays Live Stream
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