Rays vs. Red Sox prediction: MLB odds, picks, best bets Friday

It’s astounding what can change within three weeks of a 162-game season. Only three weeks ago, the Red Sox were a punchline, dwelling in last place in the AL East and looking ahead to a fire sale at the trade deadline. But 14 wins in their last 16 games have them right back in the thick of the wild card race.Better plate discipline and fabulous starting pitching have been much to thank; the Sox are scoring earlier and finally providing their rotation the run support that wasn’t there, fueling a nine-game streak heading into their home series against Tampa Bay beginning with a Friday doubleheader. The Rays, who still hold a 10-game divisional lead on Boston, boast one of baseball’s most balanced rosters.

Once again, their front office has miraculously found a way to do more with less, operating the No.23 payroll in MLB while owning the best record in the American League. Tampa Bay has subjugated the Red Sox to a 5-1 record in the season series, outscoring them by a 10-run margin.

It’s a fundamentally sound baseball team that, while hitting a speed bump in June, rebounded with consistent run production, excellent defense and a lights-out rotation. It may be all glad tidings for the Red Sox, but aside from sweeping the reeling Yankees, their recent wins have come over the Nationals, Angels, Mets — all teams under .500 — and the White Sox, the leaders of the consensus weakest division. Boston’s encouraging rookie Jake Bennett (4-3, 2.64 ERA) gets the ball to oppose Griffin Jax (5-6, 3.47 ERA), who’s settled into a sound mid-rotation arm role.There’s a lot to like about Bennett so far, as the club’s No.

6 prospect has shown marvelous command and draws plenty of chases outside the zone. The market is infatuated with the Red Sox right now, pricing them as far as -116 moneyline favorites.That screams inflation, especially considering All-Star Willson Contreras, their best hitter through their surge, is still serving out his suspension. Not ...