Rays vs Red Sox Prediction 5/8/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Red Sox prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 8th at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 25-12 this year after they won game one by a score of 8-4 on Thursday night. Tampa Bay blew a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but they scored the next three runs to pull away with the victory. The Rays recorded 13 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Simpson, who went 2-2 with three RBIs. Jax allowed four hits and two earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Bigge got the win and Kelly picked up a hold. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay swept the Blue Jays in three games and the Giants in three games. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.54 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .221 opponent batting average, while they have scored 167 runs with a .257 batting average and a .330 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with seven home runs and 29 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz has added five home runs and 23 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Jesse Scholtens, who is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 22.2 innings pitched this year. 

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

The Boston Red Sox are 16-22 this season after they lost game one by a score of 8-4 on Thursday night. Boston cut the deficit to 6-4 in the eighth inning, but they couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Red Sox recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Abreu, who went 1-3 with one RBI. Bennett allowed six hits and four earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Watson allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Boston swept the Tigers in three games, but lost two out of three against the Astros before that. 

This season, Boston has a 4.11 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .247 opponent batting average, while they have scored 153 runs with a .237 batting average and a .315 on base percentage. Willson Contreras has led the Red Sox with eight home runs and 23 RBIs, while Jarren Duran has added four home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Connelly Early, who is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 35.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Boston Red Sox will win

• The Rays have lost each of their last nine Friday road games against American League opponents.
• The Red Sox have won each of their last four games against the Rays following a loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five road games against AL East opponents.
• The Red Sox have covered the run line in four of their last five night games against the Rays following a loss.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won 17 of their last 18 games against American League opponents.
• The Red Sox have lost each of their last six games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line each of their last eight night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Rays have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against American League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Ten of the Rays’ last 12 games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Red Sox’s last six games as favorites against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Rays’ last nine road games against American League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Red Sox’s last seven games as home favorites against AL East opponents.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts

• Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one hit in each of the Red Sox’s last 10 games as favorites against the Rays.
• Triston Casas has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in seven of his last 28 appearances with the Rays as underdogs.
• Chandler Simpson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against AL East opponents.

Rays vs Red Sox Prediction 

Tampa Bay extended their winning streak with another win on Thursday night and they have allowed one run or fewer in three of their last five games. The Rays are 11-8 on the road this year, while the Red Sox are 6-11 at home. Boston has won three of their last four games, but they have really struggled at home. The Red Sox are starting Early, who has allowed 5, 2, and 3 earned runs in his last three starts, while Scholtens has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings. I think this is a very even pitching matchup and Tampa Bay is red hot right now, so give me the Rays to win here.

David Racey's Pick: Rays ML