The Boston Red Sox will welcome back ace lefty Chris Sale to the mound for the first time since October as the Sox continue an AL East series at the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

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Red Sox vs. Rays Game Information

Good morning! How was everyone's night? pic.twitter.com/47iPhpwn49

— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 11, 2022

• When: Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 7:20 PM ET
• Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
• TV: NESN, Bally Sports Sun
• Radio: WEEI 93.7 (Red Sox) / WDAE 620 AM (Braves)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Red Sox (TBA) / Rays (TBA)

READ MORE: Mets vs. Braves MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – July 11th, 2022

Why bet on the Boston Red Sox?

Boston’s rotation has been devastated by injuries. In fact, the Red Sox starting pitcher has been a rookie in seven of the club’s last nine games, including each of the last five. The last time the Red Sox started a rookie pitcher in at least four consecutive games was in 1945, when they did so in each of the final four games of the season. The Red Sox have won 14 of their last 15 games in which their starting pitcher has thrown at least 6.0 innings (19-2 in their last 21).

The big story for this game will be the return of ace lefty Chris Sale, who hasn’t pitched since Game 5 of the 2021 ALCS vs. Houston. Sale was a bit erratic in his final minor league rehab start at Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday, issuing five free passes over 3 2/3 innings of work — before taking out his frustration on the team’s clubhouse. He threw 72 pitches in that outing, so he still may be on a bit of a pitch count in his first start back.

The 33-year-old suffered an injury to his rib cage ahead of spring training, and then suffered a personal, non-COVID medical issue in May, which shutdown his throwing temporarily.

“I’m definitely excited to get back,” Sale said of Tuesday’s start. “Sitting on the sidelines watching is only so fun for so long — just getting back out there and competing again. Just missing it, that feeling of competition, that feeling of being out there, grinding with your guys, putting all on the line and competing and winning games, that’s why I enjoy doing this. It’s what I want to get back to doing.”

Why bet on the Tampa Bay Rays?

It’s former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.62 ERA) on the mound for the Rays. Kluber scattered three hits and struck out five over six scoreless innings last Wednesday in a win over the Red Sox at Fenway. He was dominant, throwing 57 of 80 pitches for strikes across six frames for his fifth quality start in his last eight games.

“He was commanding his pitches well, locating well, hitting the corners exactly where he wanted to,” catcher Francisco Mejia said of Kluber. “I think it’s one of the best outings that he’s had this year.”

The Rays got some bad news over the weekend when shortstop Wander Franco (wrist), and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (left hip inflammation) were placed on the 10-day injured list and left-hander Jeffrey Springs (tightness in his lower right leg) was put on the 15-day injured list.

Franco left the Rays’ loss to the Reds on Saturday in the middle of the first inning with discomfort in his right hand and wrist after fouling off a pitch. Taylor Walls is expected to get the bulk of the playing time at shortstop in place of Franco, who is hitting .260 with five homers, 23 RBIs and a .704 OPS in 58 games this season. Manager Kevin Cash told reporters that Franco is dealing with a likely hamate issue.

If it is a broken hamate — one of the carpal bones in the wrist — Franco is looking at six-to-eight weeks of recovery. Most players returning from such an injury see a drop in power, at least in the short term, as well. Given the recurring nature of his hip problem, it seems likely that Kiermaier will miss more than 10 days, though the upcoming All-Star break could cover four days of that IL stint. While neither Franco nor Kiermaier have excelled at the plate this season, their twin absences will likely only intensify the Rays’ already clear need for more hitting help at the deadline.

Red Sox vs. Rays MLB Betting Trends

• Red Sox are 2-4 SU in the last 6 games.
• Red Sox are 1-4 SU in the last 5 games against Tampa Bay.
• The total went over in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games.
• Rays are 2-4 SU in the last 6 games.
• Rays are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games against an opponent in the American League.
• The total went under in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games.

Red Sox vs. Rays Betting Prediction

Rays win.

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