It appears the 24-36 Red Sox of 2020 wasn't a mirage. Boston really is this bad. How else to explain opening the season by getting swept at home by the Orioles? These losses weren't especially close either. Baltimore outscored Boston, 18-5. 

Perhaps this is an overreaction to the Red Sox and maybe the Orioles are an improved team. Having Trey Mancini back certainly is a plus for Baltimore. 

But I do know this: The Red Sox aren't nearly in the class of Tampa Bay. So laying this short price with the Rays makes plenty of sense to me. 
The Rays didn't play Sunday. A rare day off on a Sunday and a strong plus for a team that relies heavily on a deep bullpen.

Tampa Bay did lose, 12-7, to the Marlins two days ago after winning the first two games of that series. The Rays finished last season 18-5 after losing in their previous game. They also have enjoyed tremendous success at Fenway Park beating the Red Sox in 13 of their past 16 visits to Boston. 
The starting pitching matchup is Michael Wacha versus Nick Pivetta. I'm not fond of either pitcher. I'd prefer Wacha given a choice. But this is not a starting pitcher-driven handicap for me. I don't expect either Wacha or Pivetta to be around too long. 

It comes down to the Rays being the much superior team, the Red Sox already struggling and perhaps mentally affected and this being a low enough price to back the road favorite.