First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET
Venue: Fenway Park — Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: Bally Sports Sun / NESN / MLB.TV
Venue & Environment
Ballpark: Fenway Park
Dimensions: 310 LF / 379 LCF / 420 CF / 380 RCF / 302 RF
Park Factor: One of MLB’s most hitter‑friendly parks due to quirky dimensions, especially the Green Monster in LF and the short RF porch.
Weather Forecast (Boston, MA)
Temperature: 83–87°F
Conditions: Mostly sunny, humid
Wind: Blowing out to left field at 8–12 mph
Impact:
Boost to fly‑ball carry, especially toward the Monster
Advantage for RHB pull hitters
Run environment: hitter‑friendly
Team Overview
Tampa Bay Rays (56–41)
Starting Pitcher: Shane McClanahan (LHP) Record: 56–41 Last 10 Games: 7–3 Road Record: 27–22 Run Differential: +62 Form: Excellent; rotation strong; offense heating up.
The Rays continue to push toward the AL East lead. McClanahan has been dominant since returning to full strength, and Tampa’s bullpen remains elite.
Boston Red Sox (49–48)
Starting Pitcher: Sonny Gray (RHP) Record: 49–48 Last 10 Games: 5–5 Home Record: 26–23 Run Differential: +8 Form: Up‑and‑down; pitching competitive; offense streaky.
The Red Sox remain in the AL Wild Card mix. Gray has been reliable, but Boston’s offense has been inconsistent in July.
Injury Report
Rays
Wander Franco — IL (wrist)
Josh Lowe — DAY‑TO‑DAY (hamstring)
Jeffrey Springs — IL (elbow)
Pete Fairbanks — IL (shoulder)
Impact: Franco’s absence hurts OBP and contact hitting. Lowe’s status affects outfield depth and left‑handed power.
Red Sox
Rafael Devers — DAY‑TO‑DAY (back)
Triston Casas — IL (rib)
Kenley Jansen — IL (hip)
Brayan Bello — IL (forearm)
Impact: Devers’ availability is critical for Boston’s run production. Casas’ absence weakens middle‑order power.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Tampa Bay — Shane McClanahan (LHP)
ERA: 2.94
WHIP: 1.07
K/BB: 4.4
Last 5 Starts: 3–1, 2.70 ERA
Splits:
Road ERA: 3.10
Vs. RHB: .218 avg allowed
Vs. LHB: .240 avg allowed
Profile: McClanahan mixes elite velocity with a devastating slider and changeup. His strikeout ability neutralizes power‑heavy teams. Fenway’s dimensions can be tricky, but his ground‑ball rate helps mitigate damage.
Boston — Sonny Gray (RHP)
ERA: 3.58
WHIP: 1.22
K/BB: 3.1
Last 5 Starts: 2–2, 3.90 ERA
Splits:
Home ERA: 3.40
Vs. RHB: .244 avg allowed
Vs. LHB: .252 avg allowed
Profile: Gray relies on a sinker/slider mix with strong command. His ability to induce weak contact plays well at Fenway, but Tampa’s left‑handed bats match up well.
Key Player Matchups
Rays Offense vs Gray
Yandy Díaz: Elite contact hitter; strong vs RHP
Brandon Lowe: Power threat; excellent vs sinkers
Isaac Paredes: Strong vs sliders; high OBP
Randy Arozarena: Streaky but dangerous in Fenway
Advantage: Rays
Red Sox Offense vs McClanahan
Rafael Devers (if active): Elite vs LHP; major threat
Masataka Yoshida: Strong vs fastballs; good contact hitter
Trevor Story: Power upside; inconsistent
Jarren Duran: Speed threat; limited vs elite velocity
Advantage: Rays (significant if Devers sits)
Series History
2026 Season Series: Rays lead 3–2
Last 10 Meetings: Rays lead 6–4
At Fenway Park (last 6): Even, 3–3
Tampa has played well in Boston recently.
Betting Trends
Rays
7–3 last 10 games
6–4 last 10 road games
Under is 6–4 in last 10 (pitching dominant)
Red Sox
5–5 last 10 games
6–4 last 10 home games
Over is 6–4 in last 10 (pitching inconsistent)
Head‑to‑Head
Rays ML has hit in 4 of last 6
Under has hit in 5 of last 7
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 8
Boston Red Sox – 123
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, July 18, 2026
