The Rays are making the hot play of the Red Sox look weak by comparison as Tampa Bay had won 12 games and has lost just four in July midway through this week.
The two teams are still in the basement of the AL East but both are still poised to make a run considering the Orioles, Yankees and Blue Jays have not done enough to grab a comfortable lead. Boston and Tampa Bay will meet for three games this weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida with Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jake Peavy scheduled to pitch for the Sox.
The marquee matchup will come Friday night when Rays ace David Price gets the ball as he will go head-to-head with Lester.
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter: @BurkeMetroBOS
