The set-up: With their 9-4 win over the Rays on Monday, Boston is now one game behind Tampa for second place in the AL East. The visitors have to be feeling confident that they can build off that victory by handing the ball to ace Chris Sale today. The home side counters with Yonny Chirinos.

The pitchers: Sale (4-9, 4.05 ERA) comes in off perhaps his best start of the year, going six shutout innings vs. the Jays on Thursday, striking out 12.

Chirinos (8-5, 3.29) is 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five appearances vs. the Red Sox lifetime.

The pick: Note as well that Sale is 9-6 with a 2.94 ERA over 116 1/3's innings opposed vs. the Rays lifetime, giving up 78 hits and striking out 169. And take it for what you will as well, but Boston is 77-41 (+11.7 units) the L2 years as a road favorite of -125 or higher, while Tampa Bay is just 8-10 (-4.2 units) this year after a loss by four runs or less. I absolutely believe the Sale and the surging visiting side are worth the price of admission in this spot. Lay it.

Boston Red Sox

10* play