The Tampa Bay Rays entered their series vs. the Boston Red Sox with a 7 ¹/₂-game lead in the AL East, and on Tuesday the Red Sox turn to Eduardo Rodriguez to hold down the league’s best offense in terms of runs per game.

The Rays are averaging just over 5.3 runs per game overall and entered the series doing their most damage on the road with just under 5.8 runs per game with their 1.5 road home runs per game leading the AL.

Rodriguez has been hit hardest at home, posting a 5.69 ERA there compared a 4.41 road ERA, with opponents hitting .263 off of him at Fenway, and he has given up at least three runs in five of his last nine home starts.

Rays starter Drew Rasmussen began the season in the Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen and blossomed into a reliable starter, making four starts since the Rays moved him into the rotation in August. He has allowed three runs (no homers), and opponents are hitting .155 across 17 innings.

The Red Sox have been hit hard by COVID-19, and the Rays, who had won nine of the previous 12 meetings entering Monday, will continue their success against the Red Sox.

The Play: Rays, -110.