Boston at Tampa Bay

Boston made its season a great success by knocking off the Yankees in the finale. Now they run into a juggernaut Tampa Bay team that has it all and are off of a 5-0 wipeout of the Red Sox in Game 1. Boston lives by the long ball and failed to draw a walk last night. The Red Sox are 4-13 as a road underdog, plus 6-14 against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. During the regular season, Tampa Bay was second in runs scored, #11 in on-base percentage, and eighth in slugging. The pitching staff was No. 4 in team ERA (3.67), the best in the AL, and ninth in strikeouts with the second-fewest walks allowed. The farm system keeps rolling out great arms and has another one going today in Shane Baz, Tampa Bay's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Tampa Bay is 12-4 against Boston, including 8-2 at home. Play Tampa Bay.