Boston at Tampa Bay

Boston is in first place with a much improved offense, sixth in baseball in runs scored, and seventh in on-base percentage. Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz is 8-6 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 career starts against the Rays. Boston has been a great bounce-back team at 8-1 after a loss and 45-22 in Buchholz's last 67 road starts. Tampa Bay rallied to win last night but this team is still 2-6 at home. Tampa Bay has a weak offense, ranked #21 in runs scored, and #20 in batting average. The Rays go with starter Jake Odorizzi, who is prone to walking batters and he faces a patient Boston offense that loves to draw walks and wear starters out. He surrendered three runs in a 9-0 loss to the Yankees the last time out. The 25-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA over five career starts against the Red Sox. He walked 8 in 19 innings against Boston last season going 1-2 with a 5.12 ERA, plus the Rays are 8-17 at home against a right-handed starter. Take Boston.