On April 16, the Boston Red Sox (9-10) will face off against the Tampa Bay Rays (8-9) at George M. Steinbrenner Field as they continue their series after a 7-4 victory for Boston in the previous game. Alex Bregman had a standout performance, going 5-5 with two home runs. Tonight's pitching matchup features Sean Newcomb, who is struggling with an 0-2 record and a 4.97 ERA, against Zack Littell, who has yet to secure a win this season with an unfortunate 0-3 and a 6.88 ERA.

The betting odds currently favor the Rays at -143 on the moneyline, with Red Sox at +121. Oddsmakers set the total runs at 9.0. Analytics suggest a lean towards the Rays for a moneyline bet, while the Red Sox may cover the spread at +1.5. Notably, Tampa Bay has struggled on the Run Line this season (6-11), and their recent games have frequently gone over the total.

As the Angels face off against the Rays, both teams have shown early-season promise, with the Angels at 7-4 and the Rays at 5-6. José Soriano is on the mound for Los Angeles, while Zack Littell takes the ball for Tampa Bay. The series is tied at one game apiece, following a thrilling 5-4 victory for the Rays, spurred by José Caballero's first career grand slam. This matchup promises more excitement, with betting trends favoring the Angels against the spread and the under trending in recent games.

With the Angels' Soriano coming off a shaky outing, expectations are high for him to rebound as he seeks his first win of the season. Littell, despite his struggles, has shown potential in previous starts. Bettors and fantasy enthusiasts alike will want to keep an eye on player performances and team stats as they look for edges in today's betting market.

The Tampa Bay Rays successfully navigated salary arbitration for all seven of their eligible players, including pitcher Zack Littell, ahead of the deadline. Littell is set to earn $5.72 million in 2025, a significant increase from his $1.85 million salary in 2024, surpassing the initial projections of $4.8 million.

Since joining the team off waivers in 2023, Littell has transitioned from a career reliever to a reliable starter, achieving impressive statistics. In 2023, he recorded a 3.93 ERA and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 14 starts. He improved in 2024, finishing with an 8-10 record and a 3.63 ERA in 29 starts, leading all Rays players with a 2.8 WAR.

Drew Rasmussen has finalized a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth $8.5 million, successfully avoiding salary arbitration. The contract includes an option that could increase the total value to $28 million across three years. The agreement was announced by Rasmussen’s agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council, just days ahead of the scheduled arbitration discussions.

The 29-year-old right-hander underwent a third elbow surgery in July 2023 but made a swift return to the mound on August 7. During his brief stint following recovery, he recorded a 2.82 ERA with a 0-2 record in four starts and 12 relief appearances, showcasing his ability with a 97.4 mph four-seam fastball.

Throughout his five-year career, Rasmussen boasts a 20-12 record with a 2.95 ERA over 50 starts and 44 relief appearances, primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rays. He will remain under contract with the Rays until at least the end of the 2026 season, provided the option is not exercised. Meanwhile, several other Rays players are still in arbitration, including Shane Baz and Zack Littell.

Drew Rasmussen has secured his future with the Tampa Bay Rays, reaching a two-year, $8.5 million deal that could escalate to $28 million over three seasons. The contract features a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries set at $2 million for the first year and $5.5 million in 2026.

The deal includes an $8 million option for 2027, which comes with a $500,000 buyout. This option carries potential escalators based on Rasmussen's health and performance, adding a layer of incentive for both the player and the team.