Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox

Just one month ago, on May 9th, the Tampa Bay Rays were 17-21 and had six teams between them and the 3rd Wild Card spot.

Entering play on Monday, the Rays have improved to 35-30, sit 4.5 games back of the Yankees and are currently in a three-way tie for all three Wild Card spots with the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins; the Cleveland Guardians sit a half game back.

Since the start of play on May 20th, the Rays are 14-4, which is the best record in all of baseball; they have scored 105 runs (which is the most over that time) and have allowed 47 runs (which is the least over that time). The Rays have now won or split six consecutive series and eight of their last nine.

Now the Rays face their next challenge as they travel up north to Boston where they’ll take on the division rival Red Sox. Boston is now 32-35 on the season after taking two of three against the New York Yankees. The Red Sox suffered through a dreadful month of May, going 11-17 and free falling through the standings. Boston now sits in 4th in the AL East, 8.5 games behind the Yankees for the division lead and 4 games behind the Rays for the Wild Card.

Earlier this season, from April 14th-16th, the Rays lost two of three to the Red Sox at home.

The two players leading the Red Sox come as no surprise with Rafael Devers (155 wRC+ | 2.2 fWAR) overcoming his early season struggles and free agent signing Alex Bregman (158 wRC+ | 2.4 fWAR) delivering more than expected; Bregman is currently on the 10-day IL. Catcher Carlos Narvaez (128 wRC+ | 2.2 fWAR) has been a big surprise as has emerged as one of the best backstops in all of baseball. Meanwhile, the early season favorite for Rookie of the Year, Kristian Campbell (92 wRC+ | 0.0 fWAR), is dealing with some early season struggles.

On the pitching side of things, the Red Sox are getting more than they could have hoped from Garrett Crochet as he is the best pitcher in the American League. Entering play on Monday, Crochet has a 2.35 ERA | 2.67 FIP with a 31.3 K% & 7.7 BB% over 88 IP. The rest of the starting staff has been lackluster though which has been the issue for Boston early on. The bullpen has been solid though, led by veterans Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson.

Frivolities

The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Red Sox:

Wade Boggs
Manny Ramirez
Carl Crawford
Johnny Damon
David Price

The Rays best player offensively against the Red Sox all-time (min. 25 PA):Dan Johnson: .360/.448/.840 with 4 HR over 29 PA.The next four are Hunter Renfroe, Paul Sorrento, Travis d’Arnaud, and Wilson Ramos

The Rays most previous transacation with the Red Sox:— 3/27/24: Rays sell contract of Naoyuki Uwasawa to the Red Sox
The Rays first transaction with the Red Sox— 7/21/99: Rays trade Julio Santana to the Red Sox for a PTBNL (Will Silverthorn)

Probable pitchers are projected by FanGraphs