Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2019 ) Boston 7, Tampa Bay 4

The Boston Red Sox are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but that doesn't mean they're taking it easy on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox will try to earn a split of the four-game series and throw a wrench into the postseason plans of a division rival when they visit the Rays for the finale on Monday night.

Tampa Bay needed extra innings to take the first two games of the series before dropping a 7-4 decision on Sunday and falling into a tie with the Cleveland Indians for the second American League wild card. "We're going to lose at some point," Rays infielder Joey Wendle told reporters. "It's disappointing. You never want to lose when you're in a race like this, but it's a pretty good team over there. We'll hopefully come back out tomorrow and get a series win." Defending-champion Boston needs one more victory to clinch a winning record for the season and will travel to Texas on Tuesday before finishing out the season at home against Baltimore. The Red Sox will send right-hander Jhoulys Chacin to the mound on Monday while the Rays counter with reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-11, 5.66 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (6-7, 4.19)

Chacin did not allow a run in any of his first three appearances for Boston but was roughed up in his fourth on Wednesday against San Francisco, serving up four runs and five hits over 2 2/3 innings to absorb a loss. The Venezuela native has yet to go more than 2 2/3 innings and will likely start off another bullpen game for the Red Sox. Chacin owns 13 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings since joining the team.

Snell is making his second start since spending nearly two months on the injured list with an elbow issue and will try to build up his stamina after striking out four and throwing 26 pitches in two perfect innings at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The 26-year-old owns 140 strikeouts in 103 total innings and will be a weapon in a potential wild card game. Snell last saw the Red Sox at Boston on June 9, scattering one run and five hits over six innings to earn a win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LHP David Price will undergo surgery this week to remove a cyst from his left wrist.

2. Tampa Bay OF Avisail Garcia (illness) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

3. Boston RF Mookie Betts (foot) sat out Sunday but is expected to play Monday.

PREDICTION: Rays 8, Red Sox 2