Rays at Red Sox Preview

BOSTON (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox conclude their four-game series Sunday evening at Fenway Park, with a chance of rain and temperatures near 55 degrees forecast for first pitch.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen (2-1) is the probable starter for the Rays, who own the best record in the American League at 25-13. The Red Sox counter after taking the first two games of the series, improving to 17-22 on the season.

Boston won Friday’s contest 2-0, a game in which left-hander Connelly Early (2-1) was dominant. Early tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out eight. He will not start Sunday but remains a key arm out of the bullpen for Boston. Early has a 2.88 ERA over his last three appearances, with 17 strikeouts across 17 2/3 innings.

For Tampa Bay, reliever Jesse Scholtens is expected to be available. He pitched 4 2/3 innings Friday, allowing two earned runs on two hits with four strikeouts. Over his last five outings, Scholtens has a 3.97 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.

The series opened Thursday with Tampa Bay winning 8-4, snapping a three-game losing streak for the Rays.

Sunday’s matchup carries betting implications. Boston is a -1.5 run-line favorite, and Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-5 Tampa Bay victory. The over/under is 8.5.

Following Sunday’s game, the Rays travel to Toronto for a three-game series beginning Monday. The Red Sox return home Tuesday to host Philadelphia for three games before heading to Atlanta.