Rays Look to Sweep Red Sox Behind Jax's Arm in Crucial September Series

The Rays are rolling at the Trop, winners of seven of their last eight home games, and they're positioned to send Boston packing after yesterday's tight 2-1 victory. Griffin Jax takes the ball for Tampa Bay, and the numbers tell the story: his 3.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP are worlds better than what Patrick Sandoval brings to the table for the Red Sox. Sandoval's 4.99 ERA and bloated 1.79 WHIP scream trouble, especially against a Rays lineup featuring Junior Caminero (.90 OPS) and Jonathan Aranda (.80 OPS), who should feast on a below-average starter in a must-win September spot.

Boston limps in at 2-3 over their last five, and their offense looked anemic yesterday. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is 8-2 in their last ten and playing with the kind of confidence that comes from defending your home turf. Sure, the Red Sox have a marginally better team ERA on the season, but that's irrelevant when your starter is getting shelled and theirs isn't.

DarkHorse AI likes the Rays at -150, and frankly, the juice feels light given the mismatch on the mound and Tampa's recent dominance at home. Fade Sandoval, back the hotter team, and watch the Rays complete the weekend sweep.