The Tampa Bay Rays (50-43) visit the Boston Red Sox (49-45) on Thursday, opening a 4-game series. First pitch from Fenway Park is at 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Rays vs. Red Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

The one and only Stitches has been handicapping baseball, daily, for the Post since 2019. Miraculously, he has finished in the black twice. But wait there’s more. He showed his versatility by winning the Post’s NFL Best Bet crown last year.

MLB insider Jeff Passan ignites rumors after guaranteeing the Boston Red Sox will make a trade to make a World Series push.

The Red Sox stormed back to steal the opening game of this four-game series against the Rays, 4-3. Boston was able to score three runs on two hits in the seventh inning before the bullpen held tight to extend the winning streak to seven games — a season-long for the Sox.

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In running their winning streak to six, the Sox have vaulted back into contention, sitting just 5½ games behind the first-place Blue Jays in the AL East, and very much in the wild-card race. But the level of competition changes dramatically between now and the July 31 trade deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays have their backs against the wall after dropping the first two games in a four-game set against the Boston Red Sox. Losing today would mark Tampa Bay's fifth-straight series loss and third against Boston.

"Aroldis Chapman of the Red Sox, David Bednar of the Pirates, Félix Bautista of the Orioles, Mason Miller of the Athletics, Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals and Emmanuel Clase of the Guardians should be among their top trade targets, with Chapman and Bednar being the most realistic acquisitions," Bowden wrote.