After a rocky start to the season, the Red Sox are finally showing the form everyone expected. Solid pitching, sharp defense, and timely hitting came together for their first sweep of 2026, taking all three games from the Detroit Tigers. Now, with momentum on their side, they head home to face a Tampa Bay Rays team that refuses to follow the script.
The Rays were supposed to be sellers this offseason, yet here they are at 24-12, tied with the Yankees as the only AL teams above .500. That puts Boston 9.0 games back in the AL East and 1.5 games out of the Wild Card—a reminder that there's no time to let up.
Thursday night's opener features an intriguing pitching matchup. The Rays will start Griffin Jax, a converted reliever acquired from the Twins. Tampa is slowly building up his arm strength as a starter, so don't expect a long outing—he's thrown just 2.1 and 2.2 innings in his two "starts" this season, both scoreless. Opposite him will be Jake Bennett, making just his second career MLB start after a promising debut: 5 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts against the Astros.
Beyond Thursday, the Rays' rotation is still taking shape. FanGraphs projects Mason Englert, Nick Martinez, and Drew Rasmussen as the probable starters. Englert, another converted reliever, is currently on the IL with a 7.11 ERA and hasn't pitched since April 19—so Tampa will need to make a roster move if he goes. If he does start, it'll likely be an opener role, with bulk relievers behind him. That's where Connelly Early comes in for Boston, looking to bounce back after a tough outing last time.
Nick Martinez has been a bright spot for Tampa after signing a one-year deal this winter. His 1.71 ERA over 42 innings is elite, though his 3.45 FIP and modest 28 strikeouts suggest some regression may be coming. Still, with only 10 walks, he's been effective at limiting damage.
Drew Rasmussen rounds out the projected series for the Rays. He's a traditional starter who doesn't often exceed 90 pitches, but his right-handed profile could play into Boston's hands—the Sox have plenty of lefty bats ready to take advantage.
Whether you're cheering from the stands or watching from home, make sure you're geared up in your best Red Sox apparel. This series is shaping up to be a pivotal early-season test.