Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Pick & Prediction APRIL 16th 2025
Preview and Prediction
The Boston Red Sox emerged from a period of offensive struggles by amassing 12 hits in their 7-4 triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night. As the two teams prepare to conclude their three-game series on Wednesday, the Red Sox will aim to maintain their newfound success at the plate.
Prior to Tuesday's game, Boston had suffered six defeats in their last eight outings. What's more, they had only managed to score eight runs in their previous six losses, including a demoralizing 16-1 defeat at the hands of Tampa Bay on Monday.
Alex Bregman was the standout performer for Boston in Tuesday's victory, racking up five hits and four RBIs. This included two solo home runs and the first five-hit game of his Major League Baseball career.
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"It felt good," Bregman commented. "Obviously a lot of hard work in the cage before the game."
"I think everyone did a really good job of being convicted in their approach at the plate. I think guys did a really good job of preparing before the game and I was pleased with the effort all around. It was good to see everybody fired up and look forward to continuing that."
Boston also received a two-run homer from leadoff hitter Jarren Duran, who reached base three times and scored twice in Tuesday's win.
Duran's home run was his fifth extra-base hit of the season. He led the team with 83 extra-base hits last season, topping the majors in doubles (48) and tying for the MLB lead in triples (14).
"We put some good swings," praised Boston manager Alex Cora. "There were certain guys that we felt were in between, and (Tuesday) they swung with conviction. I like a lot of things that happened offensively. Obviously, Alex with a big night, but overall we made some adjustments and we executed today."
"(Duran) is getting close. As you know he's very important to our lineup. He's the one who gets us going, so hopefully he has another good day tomorrow and then enjoy the off day."
Jonathan Aranda was the standout performer for Tampa Bay in Tuesday's loss, recording two hits including his third home run of the season. Aranda boasts a .413 batting average and a 1.242 OPS in 46 at-bats this season.
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"He's a really good hitter, and he's been that way," acknowledged Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash. "I think having confidence has allowed how talented he is to come out a little bit more."
Tampa Bay will turn to right-hander Zack Littell (0-3, 6.88 ERA) on Wednesday in hopes of securing a series victory. Despite his lackluster numbers this season, Littell has a solid track record against the Red Sox, boasting a 2-0 record and a 2.75 ERA in four career games (three starts) against them. He has also recorded 19 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings.
Boston will counter with left-hander Sean Newcomb (0-2, 4.97 ERA). In his two previous appearances against Tampa Bay (both starts), Newcomb has a 1-1 record and a 5.40 ERA.
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Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Recap SEP 6TH 2023
Brandon Lowe smashed a walk-off, three-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays evened their home series with Boston in 11 innings, rallying past the Red Sox 8-6 on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla.
With Christian Bethancourt placed on second base and Yandy Diaz drawing a leadoff walk, Lowe roped a 2-2 pitch from Kenley Jansen (3-6) around the right field foul pole for his 18th home run. Jansen blew his fourth save in 33 opportunities.
Erasmo Ramirez (3-3) allowed an unearned run in the top of the frame to get the win.
Rene Pinto stroked a two-run homer and Jonathan Aranda tripled in a run and scored twice for the Rays. Lowe and Isaac Paredes drove in consecutive runs after being hit by pitches.
Tampa Bay (84-55) improved to 6-4 in extra innings and is 8-2 against the Red Sox.
The club recorded its eighth walk-off victory.
Enmanuel Valdez went 2-for-3 and clubbed a two-run homer, Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits, and Justin Turner and Rafael Devers had two hits apiece for Boston (72-67).
The Red Sox are 3-2 on their six-game road trip and fell to 4-5 in extra innings.
In the 10th matchup between the American League East foes, defense by center fielders made a major impact early.
After Triston Casas led off the second inning with a walk, Jose Siri ran down a drive by Masataka Yoshida, snaring it on a leaping catch near the wall.
In the Rays' half, Vidal Brujan drew a two-out walk and Boston's Wilyer Abreu overran a towering shot by Aranda in center that allowed Brujan to score and Aranda to notch his triple.
Pinto followed with a homer to left-center -- a 419-foot smash for his third home run of the season -- for a 3-0 lead.
But the Red Sox got two back in the third on Valdez's fifth homer, a blast to right field on a cutter from starter Zach Eflin, who went five-plus innings and allowed three runs.
The Rays loaded the bases to chase starter Kutter Crawford with two outs in the fourth, and reliever Joe Jacques plunked Lowe and Paredes with pitches to give Tampa Bay a 5-2 lead.
In the sixth, Boston got one back on an RBI single by Turner against Eflin. But with the bases loaded and no outs, Colin Poche fanned Adam Duvall and Yoshida looking, then Kevin Kelly got pinch hitter Refsnyder to fly out to Siri.
Turner and Casas had RBI singles in the seventh to tie it.