The Boston Red Sox are one win away from the American League Championship Series. Sunday night, the Red Sox outlasted the Tampa Bay Rays in 13 innings to take a 2-1 lead in the American League Division Series (BOS 6, TB 4 in 13 innings). Christian Vázquez swatted a walk-off two-run homer to give Boston the Game 3 win.
Game 4 is set for Monday evening at Fenway Park. You can view the full postseason schedule by clicking here. With that throat-clearing out of the way, let’s get to the important stuff for Game 3.
How to watch
Date: Monday, Oct. 11 | Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Location: Fenway Park (Boston)
TV: FS1 | Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Odds: O/U: 8.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Starting pitchers: TBA vs. TBA
Preview
Game 3 devolved into a battle of the bullpens and that will create Game 3 problems for both clubs. The Rays are planning a bullpen game and Luis Patiño, who was expected to chew up the bulk of the innings in Game 4, had to pitch in Game 3. Tampa may have to count on Michael Wacha for multiple innings after using nine pitchers Sunday.
As for the Red Sox, they’re likely to start Eduardo Rodriguez on short rest. He went 1 2/3 innings in Game 1 and it’s unlikely the Red Sox will ask him for length, though if he pitches well, they’ll ride him as long as possible. One thing we know for sure: Nick Pivetta won’t be available. He threw 140 pitches between Games 1 and 3 and won’t be called on again in Game 4.
Prediction
The Rays have their backs up against the wall and their pitching is a bit of a mess going into Game 4. That said, Boston’s staff isn’t in great shape either, and I don’t expect Tampa to go away quietly. They’ll rally for a win Monday and send this series back to Tropicana Field for a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday.
Pick: Rays 8, Red Sox 5
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