MLB Prop Bets: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays (May 8, 2026)
The Tampa Bay Rays (25-12) face the Boston Red Sox (16-22) at Fenway Park on Friday at 7:10pm (ET). Let's take a look at the MLB Prop Bets for the matchup. Jesse Scholtens is the probable pitcher for the Rays, while Connelly Early is the probable pitcher for the Red Sox. The Red Sox are favored to win at -143, while the Rays are at +119. The total runs line is set at 8.5, with OVER at -122 and UNDER at +102.
- The Rays (-175) have a 23-14 Run Line record this season, while the Red Sox (+144) hold a record of 13-25.
- The Rays have a 17-17-3 O/U record this season (meaning 17 games have gone over the total runs line, 17 have gone under and three have resulted in a push). The Red Sox have a 19-18-1 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Rays are averaging 4.5 runs per game this season (12th in the league). Comparatively, the Red Sox are averaging only 4.0 (T24th).
- In the field, the Rays are allowing 4.0 runs per game this season (7th in the league), while the Red Sox are allowing an average of 4.3 runs (14th).
Let's take a look at how these teams perform in some other key statistical areas.
Batting Insights:
Batting Average
- Looking at their batting averages this season, the Rays are at .257 (ranking 5th in the Major leagues), while the Red Sox are batting .237 (19th).
Home Runs
- In terms of total home runs this season, the Red Sox have hit 27 (28th in the Major Leagues). Meanwhile, the Rays have managed 31 (25th).
Runs Batted In
- Finally, looking at their runs batted in, the Rays have recorded 157 RBIs to rank T15th in the MLB this season. Comparatively, the Red Sox have recorded 146 RBIs to rank T23rd.
Pitching Insights:
Earned Run Average
- The Red Sox have an earned run average of 4.11 this season (15th in the Majors), while The Rays have an ERA of 3.54 (4th).
Strikeouts
- Turning our attention to total strikeouts, the Rays have recorded 287 this season, ranking 27th in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Red Sox rank 20th for total strikeouts, recording 301.
Opponent Batting Average
- Opponents are batting an average of .247 against the Red Sox this season (18th in the Major Leagues). Comparatively, the Rays' opponents are at .221 (4th).
First Innings Moneyline
- Here are their first innings moneyline records in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 7-8-22 | 3-5-10 | 4-3-12 | 4-6-13 | 3-2-9 | 0-0-0 | 1-2-7 |
| Red Sox | 4-11-23 | 1-3-13 | 3-8-10 | 1-7-17 | 3-4-6 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-7 |
Lead After Three Innings
- Here are their records after the first three innings in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 15-13-9 | 8-5-5 | 7-8-4 | 11-9-3 | 4-4-6 | 0-0-0 | 2-3-5 |
| Red Sox | 12-14-12 | 7-5-5 | 5-9-7 | 7-8-10 | 5-6-2 | 0-0-0 | 3-3-4 |
NRFI/YRFI
The NRFI market is paying -130 and the YRFI is paying +100.
- The NRFI is 21-16 in Rays games this season. The Red Sox have a 22-16 NRFI record.
Last Time They Met
The Rays recorded an 8-4 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park yesterday. Junior Caminero was unstoppable in that matchup, hitting a home run, a single and recording 2 RBIs. That result snapped the Red Sox's six-game winning streak against the Rays at Fenway Park.
