Tampa Bay’s inability to win three games in a row continued as their recent two-game win streak was snapped. The Rays last won three in a row back in the beginning of August. They remain three games back of the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card slot.
Chris Archer will look to get the Rays back on track tonight. Archer left his Sept. 2 start early due to lateral forearm tightness. However, tests showed no structural damage.
Prior to his brief outing, Archer had had the best month of his season in August. He went six or more innings five times in six starts, and gave up one run in three of those starts.
Archer has had two starts against the Red Sox this season. He’s got a 2.92 ERA to help the Rays win both of those starts. However, his record overall against Boston is not great. He is 2-11 with a 5.06 ERA lifetime against the Red Sox, and has a 6.23 ERA at Fenway.
The Red Sox recovered from a recent three-game losing skid to win back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Drew Pomeranz lost to the Yankees to begin that losing skid, which also snapped an impressive streak of five-consecutive Red Sox wins during his starts and eight-consecutive decisions. He’ll be looking to start a new streak in his start tonight.
Pomeranz has pitched amazingly over his past 20 starts. He’s got an 11-2 mark with a 2.78 ERA over that stretch.
However, Pomeranz has had an uneven time against the Rays this season. He has a 6.08 ERA in three starts, although he recently gave up just two runs on six innings in his latest meeting against them in July.
The Red Sox lead the season series 7-6 and are 4-3 at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Red Sox (-129) get to Archer once again as they get the home win.
