Series Preview: Rays at Red Sox

"The Sox head home after their first sweep of 2026, taking all three games from the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers are now under .500 at 18-20, barely better than the disaster of a start 16-21 Red Sox. Now they welcome in the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, sellers in the offseason, once again are finding ways to win. Shockingly at 24-12, they join the Yankees as the only AL teams over .500."

"Thursday night, the Rays are starting Griffin Jax. Acquired from the Minnesota Twins, Jax has been a reliever but the Rays are converting him to the rotation. He's made 2 “starts” on the season - 2.1 innings and 2.2 innings - against the Twins and Giants, respectively. He didn't allow a run either time and struck out 4 against 2 walks. Tampa is trying to build up his arm strength and stretch him out in the majors, so don't expect a long outing this series."

"He'll be opposed by Jake Bennett making his second career major league start. His first outing was a 5-inning, 5-hit, 1-run, 2-walk, 3-strikeout performance against the Houston Astros. Tampa doesn't have any other starters listed as of yet. FanGraphs suggests Mason Englert, Nick Martinez, and Drew Rasmussen could be the probables. Englert is a reliever and would presumably be the opener. He's currently on the IL so they've have to make a move."

"The Rays picked up Nick Martinez for a year this winter and he's been great. 1.71 ERA / 3.45 FIP over 42 innings. Only 28 Ks but also just 10 walks. So it's a mixed bag. Drew Rasmussen is a starting pitcher, another righty (they all are) which helps with all the lefty bats the"

The Red Sox returned home after sweeping the Detroit Tigers in three games, improving their position in the AL East. The Tigers sit below .500, while the Red Sox remain close to that level. The Tampa Bay Rays, who traded away players in the offseason, are again winning and hold a strong record, with the Yankees also above .500. The Rays begin a series with Griffin Jax, a former reliever converted to a starter, who has not allowed a run in limited starts. Jake Bennett makes his second career start for Boston. Tampa’s rotation plans are still forming, with possible involvement from Mason Englert, Nick Martinez, and Drew Rasmussen, while bullpen roles may expand for Connelly Early.

Read at Over the Monster