Rays vs. Red Sox: 2021 ALDS Series Preview

By: Sports Teller

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When Does Game 1 of the 2021 ALDS Start? Who Will Win the 2021 ALDS Series: Rays or Red Sox? 2021 ALDS: Rays vs. Red Sox!


Hello everyone! Welcome to Sports Teller! Today, we will be showcasing the Rays vs. Red Sox: 2021 ALDS Series Preview. In fact, we will be showcasing the overall series prediction as well as the 2021 postseason results from each team. In addition, we will be going over each team’s playoff history as well as the key players to watch. Without further adieu, let’s begin!


Rays vs. Red Sox: 2021 ALDS Series Preview

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2021 American League Division Series (ALDS): Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

Start Times for 2021 ALDS:

  • 1st Game: Thursday, October 7, 2021 (8:07 P.M. EDT/5:07 P.M. PDT) on Fox Sports 1-Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
  • 2nd Game: Friday, October 8, 2021 (7:02 P.M. EDT/4:02 P.M. PDT) on Fox Sports 1-Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
  • 3rd Game: Sunday, October 10, 2021 (4:07 P.M. EDT/1:07 P.M. PDT) on MLB Network-Fenway Park, Boston, MA
  • 4th Game: Monday, October 11, 2021 (TBA)-Fenway Park, Boston, MA (if Necessary)
  • 5th Game: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 (TBA) on Fox Sports 1-Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL (if Necessary)

Starting Pitchers for the 2021 ALDS Series:

Game 1

  • Rays: LHP Shane McClanahan: 10-6 Record, 3.43 E.R.A., 141 Strikeouts
  • Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez: 13-8 Record, 4.74 E.R.A., 185 Strikeouts

Game 2

  • Rays: RHP Shane Baz: 2-0 Record, 2.03 E.R.A., 18 Strikeouts
  • Red Sox: RHP Chris Sale: 5-1 Record, 3.16 E.R.A., 52 Strikeouts

2021 Regular Season Series: Tampa Bay Won the Regular Season Series 11-8 vs. Boston

Most Recent Playoff Meeting: 2013 ALDS (Red Sox Won 3-1)

Tampa Bay Rays (100-62)-2021 AL East Division Champions

  • 3rd Straight Playoff Appearance Dating Back to 2019 (Longest Streak in Team History)
  • 2nd Consecutive AL East Division Title (1st in Franchise History)
  • 1st 100-Win Season in Rays’ History
  • 7th Playoff Appearance All-Time
  • Kevin Cash Won 2020 AL Manager of the Year
  • Acquired DH Nelson Cruz from Twins in July 2021
  • Acquired RHP Matt Wisler from Giants in July 2021
  • 3rd Playoff Meeting vs. Red Sox (2008, 2013, 2021)
  • Tampa Bay is 5-6 vs. Boston All-Time in the Postseason
  • Seeking Back-to-Back ALCS Appearances for the 1st Time in Franchise History
  • Looking to Become 1st Club to Win Consecutive AL Pennants Since…
  • …2014-2015 Kansas City Royals
  • Has Not Won a World Series Championship in Team History
  • Seeking to Avoid an ALDS Loss for the 1st Time Since 2019 vs. Houston

Boston Red Sox (92-70)-2021 AL Wild Card Team

  • Defeated New York Yankees 6-2 in the AL Wild Card Game
  • 1st Playoff Appearance Since 2018
  • First ALDS Series Appearance Since 2018
  • 11th Playoff Appearance Since 2003 Season
  • Re-Hired Alex Cora as Manager in the Off-Season
  • Signed OF Hunter Renfroe in the Off-Season
  • Signed INF/OF Kike Hernandez in the Off-Season
  • 3rd Playoff Meeting vs. Rays (2008, 2013, 2021)
  • Boston is 6-5 vs. Tampa Bay All-Time in the Postseason
  • Seeking 1st ALCS Appearance Since 2018
  • Has Not Been to the World Series Since 2018
  • Looking for 1st World Championship Since 2018
  • Seeking to Avoid an ALDS Loss for the 1st Time Since 2017 vs. Houston

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Top Players to Watch in Rays vs. Red Sox-2021 ALDS Series (2021 MLB Regular Season Statistics)

Tampa Bay Rays

  • 2B Brandon Lowe: 0.247 BA, 39 Home Runs, 99 RBIs
  • LF Randy Arozarena: 0.274 BA, 20 Home Runs, 69 RBIs
  • SS Wander Franco: 0.288 BA, 7 Home Runs, 39 RBIs
  • DH Austin Meadows: 0.234 BA, 27 Home Runs, 106 RBIs
  • Starting LHP Shane McClanahan: 10-6 Record, 3.43 E.R.A, 141 Strikeouts
  • Starting RHP Shane Baz: 2-0 Record, 2.03 E.R.A, 18 Strikeouts
  • Closer RHP Pete Fairbanks: 5 Saves, 3.59 E.R.A, 56 Strikeouts
  • Set Up Man RHP Matt Wisler: 7 Holds, 2.15 E.R.A., 36 Strikeouts

Boston Red Sox

  • 3B Rafael Devers: 0.279 BA, 38 Home Runs, 113 RBIs
  • RF Hunter Renfroe: 0.259 BA, 31 Home Runs, 96 RBIs
  • LF J.D. Martinez: 0.286 BA, 28 Home Runs, 99 RBIs
  • SS Xander Bogaerts: 0.295 BA, 23 Home Runs, 79 RBIs
  • Starting RHP Nathan Eovaldi: 11-9 Record, 3.75 E.R.A, 195 Strikeouts
  • Starting LHP Eduardo Rodriguez: 13-8 Record, 4.74 E.R.A, 185 Strikeouts
  • Closer RHP Matt Barnes: 24 Saves, 3.79 E.R.A, 84 Strikeouts
  • Set Up Man RHP Adam Ottavino: 22 Holds, 4.21 E.R.A., 71 Strikeouts

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Official Rays vs. Red Sox: 2021 ALDS Series Prediction

Red Sox in Five Games


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