Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview, 9/21/2025 MLB Picks, Top Bets & Odds

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• Matchup: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
• Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
• Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Sun
• Betting Odds: Boston (-130) Tampa Bay (+110)

The Tampa Bay Rays (75-78) will host the Boston Red Sox (83-70) at George M. Steinbrenner Field this Sunday. The current moneyline features the Red Sox at -130 and the Rays at +110, with the over/under set at 8 runs. The expected starting pitchers are Kyle Harrison and Adrian Houser.

As a team, the Boston Red Sox average 4.9 runs per game, positioning them 6th in the league. To date, they have scored 745 runs, boasting an on-base percentage (OBP) of .323. The team has recorded 304 doubles and hit 180 home runs, accumulating 710 RBIs and a total of 1,333 hits this season, resulting in a batting average of .254. With a slugging percentage of .423, they have been struck out 1,337 times while drawing 490 walks.

The Red Sox’s strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.58, and their pitching staff has a WHIP of 1.29. They have allowed 156 home runs and a total of 643 runs this season (11th in the league). With 1,270 hits allowed (averaging 8.3 hits per 9 innings) and 566 earned runs conceded, their team ERA sits at 3.72 (4th in MLB), with a total of 1,282 strikeouts. The Red Sox pitchers have also issued 497 walks, resulting in a FIP of 4.00 for the season.

This season, the Red Sox utilized 506 relief pitchers, of whom 207 inherited runners, with a 32.4% scoring rate for inherited runners. They have managed to secure 42 saves from 69 opportunities, marking a save rate of 60.9% while totaling 151 save situations. Furthermore, the bullpen has achieved 80 holds throughout the year, ranking 18th in the league. Red Sox relief pitchers have been tasked with entering games under pressure on 151 occasions.

In terms of defense, the Red Sox have converted 69% of balls in play to outs across 12,243 innings, placing them at 23rd in MLB. The team has recorded 4,081 putouts, along with 1,372 assists and 108 errors, leading to a fielding percentage of .981, the lowest in the majors, while completing 122 double plays.

Pitcher Kyle Harrison has logged 185 innings in his career, collecting 180 strikeouts with an ERA of 4.42 (91 earned runs allowed) and a WHIP of 1.296. He has surrendered 178 hits (averaging 8.7 hits per 9 innings) along with 62 walks. With a career record of 9-9, his FIP stands at 4.36 after facing 792 batters in major league action.

On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Rays have hit 173 home runs this season, with 647 RBIs, 231 doubles, and 679 total runs scored. The team has an OBP of .314 and a batting average of .252, with a slugging percentage of .403, averaging 4.44 runs per game (14th in the league). They have struck out 1,311 times (11th in the league) and achieved a total of 1,300 hits.

Tampa Bay’s pitching unit has a team WHIP of 1.203, with a FIP of 4.14 this season. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is impressive at 8.90 (1,335 strikeouts versus 438 walks). They rank 7th in the league in total hits allowed, with 1,192, and have allowed 193 home runs, yielding 4.16 runs per 9 innings (9th in the league). The Rays’ pitching staff has issued a total of 627 runs, holding an ERA of 3.83 (with 577 earned runs).

The Rays’ relief pitchers have a 31.2% inherited scoring percentage from 157 inherited runners, having entered high-leverage situations 151 times as well as 107 instances with runners on base. With 148 save situations this year, they have managed 84 holds alongside 27 blown saves, ranking 26th in MLB with a 56.5% save rate. Tampa Bay has used 491 relievers during the season, obtaining 35 saves over 62 opportunities.

Defensively, the Rays have a 70.8% efficiency rating over 12,117 innings (6th in baseball), having executed 138 double plays and holding a .987 fielding percentage (11th in MLB). They have recorded 1,331 assists, 72 errors, and 4,039 putouts throughout the season.

In his career, Houser has pitched 721 innings, giving up 704 hits and securing 569 strikeouts. He has allowed 324 earned runs, recording a WHIP of 1.360 and a FIP of 4.0, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.05 and has faced 3,085 hitters. With a career record of 40-43, he maintains an ERA of 4.04 and yields 8.8 hits per 9 innings.

Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s clash—against the spread or on the moneyline?

Selection: Bet on Boston (-130)