June 7 MLB Series Prices: AL East Battle Heats Up as Rays Visit Red Sox

• Action heats up in the AL East this weekend as the division-leading New York Yankees visit the Cleveland Indians as -125 favorites
• The second-place Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox as +130 underdogs
• The surging Texas Rangers look to strengthen their hold on the second AL Wild Card as they host the struggling Oakland A’s

Two series with serious implications for the race in the AL East get underway on Friday as the Yankees visit Cleveland, and the Red Sox host the road warrior Rays. Meanwhile, over in the AL West, the Texas Rangers try to strengthen their grip on a wild card spot as they play host to the streaky Oakland A’s

We have odds for each of these new series as well as every other series kicking off on Friday.

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians Series Price

All odds taken 06/07/19.

Yankees Look to Rebound Against Injury-Plagued Indians

The New York Yankees will look to rebound from a disappointing start to their current six-game road trip, when they travel to Cleveland on Friday to open a three-game series with the struggling Indians as attractive -125 favorites.

"Tip your cap, they got us tonight."

Aaron Boone reacts to the Yankees' 3rd straight loss as they fall to the Toronto Blue Jays, 11-7. pic.twitter.com/nsgdjZXEFK

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 6, 2019

The Yankees dropped two of three to the woeful Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week, extending a losing streak that began with an 8-5 loss in Boston last Sunday, before avoiding the sweep with a 6-2 victory in Toronto on Thursday night. New York has surrendered a whopping 25 runs during its current 1-3 run, putting the brakes on an impressive 21-6 surge since May 1st, during which the Yankees avoided consecutive losses and seized control of first place in the AL East.

Yankees vs Indians Probable Starting Pitchers

The Indians have struggled with consistency since opening the season on a promising 15-10 run. Listed as +105 underdogs against New York on the MLB series prices, the Tribe have failed to string together more than two consecutive wins while going 16-21 in 37 outings since, including a 3-7 record over their past 10 home contests.

Carlos Carrasco's injury is just one more reason to fade the fading @Indians in the 2019 World Series futures. There are others. There are many, many others. #sportsbetting #SeriouslyWhatHappenedToJoseRamirez?https://t.co/etrz8b967v

— Sascha Paruk (@SBD_Sascha) June 5, 2019

Injuries continue to be a massive concern for the Indians, with starter Carlos Carrasco the latest player to head to the clinic, joining hurlers Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger, and Jefy Rodriguez. The club showed some resilience by taking two of three from the red-hot Minnesota Twins earlier this week, but has struggled in recent clashes with the Yankees, going 2-5 in their past seven regular-season meetings, and has claimed just one series win over the Yankees on home turf since 2013.

Pick: Yankees (-125)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Series Price

Road Warrior Rays Hope to Solve Red Sox Pitching in Crucial Clash at Fenway

The Boston Red Sox will have a golden opportunity to make up lost ground in the AL East standings when they open a four-game weekend series with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Friday as -150 favorites.

The Red Sox have closed the gap to within five games on the second-place Rays during a four-game win streak.

The Red Sox have closed the gap to within five games on the second-place Rays during a four-game win streak that featured a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals earlier this week. The Boston offense has exploded during the club’s current surge, racking up 31 total runs over their past four outings.

The Red Sox own MLB’s longest active win streak (4 games). Since a 6-13 start, they own the majors’ 2nd-highest run differential (+88) and 5th-highest win % (.628, 27-16).

The Sox have played 26 home games, the fewest in MLB.

Since 4/29, the Sox lead MLB in runs per game (6.4).

— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) June 7, 2019

Boston’s win streak snaps a shaky 7-10 run that further extended a shaky start that leaves the Red Sox entering the weekend with a middling 33-29 record. Playing at Fenway Park has done little to help Boston’s cause. The Red Sox have gone 3-5 in eight home dates since claiming their only two home series wins of the season, and have surrendered over 6.1 runs per game during that stretch.

Rays vs Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers

The Rays arrive in Beantown as +130 underdogs after taking two of three in Detroit to open a seven-game road trip. Tampa Bay dominated Detroit in back-to-back wins to close out their series at Comerica Park, outscoring the Tigers by a 10-1 overall margin. That marks a major turnaround for the Rays, who allowed 7.25 runs per game while dropping their four previous contests, including a sweep at the hands of the visiting Minnesota Twins last weekend.

#RedSox used seven pitchers yesterday. #Rays used five. The two of them play four games in 45 hours starting tonight, with history suggesting one of the games will probably go to extra innings.

This is gonna get weird. https://t.co/NpVYrqSuBf

— Jon Couture (@JonCouture) June 7, 2019

The Rays’ success in Detroit also extends their recent road warrior ways. Tampa Bay has earned the win in three of their past four series on the road, going 8-4 over their stretch, and sit second only to Minnesota with a sparkling 20-9 road record on the season. The Rays also took a pair of games from the Red Sox in an abbreviated two-game set at Fenway earlier this season.

However, Tampa Bay batters could have their hands full this weekend. Red Sox starters have earned the decision in three of the club’s four recent wins, and have not given up more than three runs to the Rays over their past five meetings.

Pick: Red Sox (-150)

Oakland A’s vs Texas Rangers Series Price

Red-Hot Rangers Eyeing AL Wild Card

The Texas Rangers aim to strengthen their slender grasp on the second AL Wild Card when they host the slumping Oakland A’s in a three-game weekend series as surprising -105 underdogs. The Rangers have won seven of nine to move past Oakland into second place in the AL West standings, and now sit virtually deadlocked with the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race.

Texas has powered its rise in the standings by dominating in recent visits from the two worst teams in the majors, the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.

Where did these guys come from!?

Don't look now, but the Texas @Rangers:
– Have won 30 games
– Are 3 games over .500
– Currently hold the 2nd Wild Card Spot pic.twitter.com/zswsOrMdWt

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 2, 2019

Texas opened its current 11-game home stand by taking five of the seven from Royals and Orioles. With the exception of Tuesday’s 12-11 loss to Baltimore, the Rangers have played stingy defense, limiting opponents to two or fewer runs in five of their past seven outings, and now trail only the division-leading Houston Astros with a 22-10 home record this season.

A’s vs Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers

The A’s travel to Texas as narrow -115 chalk on the MLB series prices after taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels this week. However, Oakland has struggled of late, posting just two wins in eight outings. Pegged as a competitive +1300 bet on opening day to win the AL Pennant, the A’s have been streaky this season, losing three or more in a row on five occasions, and enter the weekend with a middling 31-31 record and lengthy +2800 odds on the AL Championship futures.

Wildcard standings.
There's a chance. pic.twitter.com/6pnkxfd8AA

— SchulerKC 🏀⚽⚾🏈 (@SchulerKC) June 6, 2019

The A’s have posted wins in three straight road series, and have taken five of six from the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington, but have plenty of work to do to build on a shaky 14-16 record against divisional rivals this season

Pick: Rangers (-105)

Additional MLB Series Odds