First Pitch: 6:50 PM ET
Weather: Indoor stadium — no weather impact Tropicana Field’s controlled environment means neutral hitting conditions and no wind influence. Historically, it plays slightly pitcher‑friendly, especially suppressing home runs to center.
Injury Report
Boston Red Sox
- Triston Casas — Out (rib) Red Sox continue to miss his left‑handed power.
- Trevor Story — Out (elbow) Middle‑infield depth remains thin.
- Tyler O’Neill — Questionable (hamstring) Could return after missing two games; would add needed pop.
- Kenley Jansen — Out (back) Bullpen late‑inning structure remains unsettled.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Brandon Lowe — Probable (knee) Expected to play; Rays need his lefty bat.
- Josh Lowe — Out (oblique) Outfield depth slightly compromised.
- Shane McClanahan — Out (elbow) Rotation still adjusting without its ace.
- Harold Ramírez — Questionable (wrist) Could be available off the bench.
Team Records & Recent Form
Boston Red Sox (27–38)
- Last 10: 3–7
- Red Sox have dropped four straight and continue to struggle offensively.
- Averaging just 3.4 runs per game in June.
- Pitching staff ERA over last week: 5.12, trending poorly.
Tampa Bay Rays (39–25)
- Last 10: 7–3
- Rays have won six of their last seven, including a 6–3 win last night.
- Offense averaging 5.3 runs over last 10 games.
- Bullpen ERA in June: 2.91, one of the best in MLB.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Zach Bennett — RHP, Red Sox
- 2026 Season: 4.58 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
- Last 3 starts: 15.2 IP, 9 ER, 4 HR allowed
- Strengths: decent slider, induces ground balls
- Weaknesses: struggles vs. left‑handed hitters; command inconsistent
- Key matchup: containing Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz
Drew Rasmussen — RHP, Rays
- 2026 Season: 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
- Last 3 starts: 17.1 IP, 5 ER, 19 K
- Strengths: elite cutter, excellent home splits
- Weaknesses: occasionally homer‑prone when behind in counts
- Key matchup: neutralizing Rafael Devers, who has strong numbers vs. Tampa Bay
Pitching Edge: Strongly favors Tampa Bay.
Key Player Matchups
Rafael Devers (BOS) vs. Drew Rasmussen
- Devers is slugging .522 over his last 12 games.
- Rasmussen’s cutter must stay inside; Devers crushes mistakes middle‑away.
Brandon Lowe (TB) vs. Zach Bennett
- Lowe’s power plays well in Tropicana Field’s right‑field corner.
- Bennett’s splits vs. lefties (.287 average allowed) are concerning.
Yandy Díaz (TB) vs. Red Sox Bullpen
- Díaz is hitting .318 in June.
- Boston’s bullpen has allowed a .271 average over the last 10 games.
Jarren Duran (BOS) vs. Rays’ Outfield Defense
- Duran’s speed is Boston’s best weapon.
- Rays’ outfield positioning is elite — limiting extra‑base hits.
Series History
- Rays lead the 2026 season series 4–1.
- Tampa Bay has won 10 of the last 13 meetings overall.
- At Tropicana Field: Rays have won 7 straight vs. Boston.
Betting Trends
Boston Red Sox
- 2–8 in last 10 road games
- Under is 5–2 in last 7
- Red Sox are 1–6 in last 7 vs. AL East opponents
Tampa Bay Rays
- 6–1 in last 7 overall
- 8–2 in last 10 home games
- Under is 7–3 in last 10 Rasmussen starts
Totals Trends
- Tropicana Field leans under
- Both teams trending under due to pitching strength and inconsistent Boston offense
Projected Lineups
Boston Red Sox
- Jarren Duran — CF
- Vaughn Grissom — 2B
- Rafael Devers — 3B
- Tyler O’Neill — LF (if active)
- Masataka Yoshida — DH
- Connor Wong — C
- Wilyer Abreu — RF
- Bobby Dalbec — 1B
- Ceddanne Rafaela — SS
Tampa Bay Rays
- Yandy Díaz — 1B
- Brandon Lowe — 2B
- Randy Arozarena — LF
- Isaac Paredes — 3B
- Jonathan Aranda — DH
- Jose Siri — CF
- Richie Palacios — RF
- Ben Rortvedt — C
- Taylor Walls — SS
GAME ODDS
Boston Red Sox 7.5
Tampa Bay Rays – 168
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
