Tampa Bay at Boston

The noose is beginning to tighten around the Red Sox’s necks, as the surging Rays are winners of the last four vs. Boston are suddenly just three back for the wildcard spot in the AL. Josh Beckett has had an impressive season, but don't underestimate James Shields and what he has done. Shields has made 30 starts on the season and six of those saw him allow 39 runs in 34.1 innings for a king-sized 10.22 ERA. Looking at the other 24 starts, Shields has been unhittable, working 192 innings and pitching to a microscopic ERA of 1.36. Better yet is their bullpen. In those 24 starts, the pen has averaged allowing 0.62 runs a game, coming in as less than 2 runs combined for the opponent in 24 of his 30 starts or 80% of the time. That makes -130 chock full of value here, especially with the Sox in a free fall and feeling the heat. Play Tampa Bay.