7:02 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox (93-71) at Tampa Bay Rays (101-62)

Odds: Red Sox +115 / Rays -125
Total:  7.5 -105 / -115

The Red Sox’s Chris Sale, who missed the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, returned to finish 5-1 with 3.16 ERA in 9 starts this year. He will be making his fifth career postseason start and eighth postseason appearance. The left-hander made a pair of starts this year against Tampa Bay, going 0-0 with a 2.79 ERA and nine strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings. He also has a 5.76 ERA in the postseason. The Rays had the 3rd highest wOBA in the league against lefties since the start of September and they crushed lefty Eduardo Rodriguez early in Thursday’s game. Chris Sale made 3 starts on the road this season and went 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA. The Rays are now 8-3 at home against the Red Sox this season and they have won 12 of the last 16 matchups straight up. Baz went 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in three starts after being promoted from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 20. He was Tampa Bay’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 5-4 with a 2.06 ERA in 17 starts. The Rays have a better team, better pitchers, and a much better bullpen. Take the Rays to get another win in this one.

The Bookie:          Rays -125 / Over 7.5 -105
Fade the Public:   Red Sox / Under
Sharp Action:       Red Sox / Under