It's imperative for the Rays they get off to a fast start with 19 of their first 22 games at home. So far that hasn't happened as Tampa Bay is 6-8.

However, the Rays are off a big 8-3 Sunday win against the Braves. Tampa Bay's hitters are starting to come around and they hold a pitching edge here with Shane Baz going against Boston's Tanner Houck.

I like Rays manager Kevin Cash and I like his pitchers. That includes Baz, who is 1-0 with a 1.39 ERA. Baz has a 2.03 ERA in his last five starts going back to last season. Health, not talent, is the concern with him.

Boston has a losing record, too. The Red Sox are 1-5 in their last six games. They are averaging two runs per game in their last seven games. Rafael Devers is hitless in his past 10 at bats. Alex Bregman is batting .190 during his last six games.

Houck is 0-1 with a 4.41 ERA.

So the price is low enough to back the Rays.