The Red Sox vs Rays rivalry has rarely looked this lopsided. Boston finished 2025 with a commanding 10-3 edge over their AL East rivals, and the teams are set to meet again at Fenway on May 7, 2026. This breakdown brings together every head-to-head number that matters — the all-time record, recent performance swings, and the playoff moments that turned a division clash into something fiercer.

Head-to-Head 2025: Red Sox 10-3 vs Rays · Rivalry Start: Intensified 2008 · Next Game: May 7, 2026 at Fenway · Rays Rival: Red Sox

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Red Sox hold 257-222 all-time record (StatMuse)
  • Boston went 10-3 against Tampa Bay in 2025 (StatMuse)
  • Rays won the 2008 AL Championship Series 4-3 (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Which team holds the edge in all-time wins (disputed across sources)
  • 2026 game-by-game favorite not yet established
  • Player-level matchup data unavailable for 2026 season
3Timeline signal
  • 2008: Rays win ALCS — rivalry becomes heated
  • 2025: Boston’s dominant 10-3 regular season
  • 2026-05-07: Next scheduled matchup at Fenway
4What’s next
  • May 7, 2026 game at Fenway Park
  • 2026 season records still being compiled
  • AL East standings to factor heavily into postseason picture
Metric Value Source
2025 H2H Winner Red Sox (10-3) StatMuse
All-Time Record Red Sox 257-222 StatMuse
Last 20 Games Red Sox 13-7 StatMuse
Home Record vs Rays Red Sox 143-101 Champs or Chumps
Away Record vs Rays Red Sox 123-127 Champs or Chumps
All-Time Batting Avg .256 StatMuse
All-Time OPS .749 StatMuse
Largest Win 22-4 (July 23, 2002) Champs or Chumps

Who is favored to win, Rays or Red Sox?

The 2025 regular season answered this question emphatically: Boston dominated the matchup with a 10-3 record, and StatMuse shows the Red Sox winning 13 of their last 20 games against Tampa Bay. The numbers point to Boston holding the edge heading into 2026, but the Rays remind everyone they can flip the script — their 16-1 thrashing of the Red Sox on April 14, 2025 stands as one of the most lopsided defeats in the rivalry’s history.

Odds and Picks

  • Boston’s recent form (10-3 in 2025) signals a statistical favorite status
  • Home advantage matters: Red Sox hold a 143-101 all-time record at Fenway against Tampa Bay
  • Rays’ best counterpunch came in April 2025 with a 16-1 blowout, showing they can dominate on any given day
The pattern

Boston enters 2026 as the clear favorite by the numbers, but the Rays have shown repeatedly that a single dominant performance can erase months of statistical disadvantage. The implication for bettors: weight the 10-3 record heavily but treat it as a signal, not a guarantee.

September 20 Prediction

Looking at the September 2025 stretch, the Red Sox finished strong with a 6-3 victory on September 20 at Tropicana Field, then closed the road trip by splitting the final two games. FOX Sports analysis from that period reflected cautious optimism for Boston, noting the Red Sox’s ability to win series even when individual games went Tampa Bay’s way.

The upshot

The data says Boston is favored, but the Rays proved in April 2025 that a single dominant performance can swing the narrative. Bettors and fans should weight recent form heavily — the 10-3 2025 record is the strongest signal, not a guarantee.

How many times have Rays beaten Red Sox?

Tampa Bay has racked up 222 wins against the Red Sox across all-time matchups, according to StatMuse data. That’s still a significant gap behind Boston’s 257 victories, but the Rays have closed the margin considerably since their rough early years. The two teams have met 479 times overall, with the Red Sox holding a .537 winning percentage — barely above break-even, but consistent over decades.

Head-to-Head Record

  • All-time: Red Sox 257, Rays 222 (479 games)
  • Red Sox winning percentage: .537
  • At home vs Rays: Red Sox 143-101
  • Away vs Rays: Red Sox 123-127
The implication

The 222-wins gap may look large, but it’s compressed significantly from Tampa Bay’s early years. Boston’s .537 winning rate reflects consistent success rather than dominance — the Rays have narrowed the margin every decade since 1998.

Recent Games

The 2025 regular season saw Boston win decisively at 10-3. Looking further back, the Red Sox went 6-7 against Tampa Bay in 2024 and a rough 2-11 in 2023. The swing from 2023 to 2025 — a jump from 2 wins to 10 — represents one of the most dramatic reversals in recent AL East play.

Why this matters

The Rays have won just 222 times in the rivalry, but recent history shows they can string together competitive seasons. The 2-11 collapse in 2023 and the bounce back to 10-3 in 2025 reflects how much roster moves and injuries swing this particular matchup.

Who is Tampa Bay Rays’ biggest rival?

The Red Sox-Tampa Bay rivalry stands as one of the most competitive in the American League East, and by most measures, Boston is Tampa Bay’s primary rival. The two teams have clashed in multiple postseason series, and the intensity ramped up significantly after the Rays upset the Red Sox in the 2008 AL Championship Series — a series that launched Tampa Bay into national prominence.

Rays-Red Sox Rivalry History

  • 2008 AL Championship Series: Rays defeated Red Sox 4-3 — rivalry intensified dramatically
  • 2013 AL Division Series: Red Sox won 3-1, Boston’s first playoff win against Tampa Bay in this era
  • 2021 AL Division Series: Red Sox won 3-1 again, evening the playoff head-to-head

Key Moments

The 2008 ALCS remains the defining chapter — the Rays overcame a Red Sox team that had just won the World Series the year before. That series shifted the balance of power in the AL East and made every subsequent meeting feel like more than a regular-season game. Tickets for Red Sox vs Rays games at Fenway Park consistently rank among the most expensive in MLB, reflecting how seriously both fan bases take this matchup.

The paradox

The Rays’ biggest rival has beaten them more often than anyone else in franchise history, yet Tampa Bay’s signature moments came against those very Red Sox. The rivalry produces lopsided records and unforgettable games in roughly equal measure.

Rays vs Red Sox prediction?

Based on the available data heading into 2026, the Red Sox enter as the statistical favorite — but barely. Their 10-3 domination in 2025 is the strongest recent signal, but it’s a small sample compared to the full rivalry picture. The next matchup on May 7, 2026 at Fenway Park will be closely watched by both fan bases and could set the tone for the season series.

2026 Outlook

  • Red Sox hold momentum from 10-3 2025 season series
  • Rays can counter with their dominant home performances and playoff-caliber pitching
  • AL East standings will likely determine how seriously both teams take mid-season games

Last 5 Games

The Ticketmaster Blog records the final 2025 stretch: Boston won 11-7 on September 19, followed by a 6-3 victory on September 20, before Tampa Bay responded with a 7-3 win on September 21. The split at Tropicana Field showed the Rays could compete even in a season where they lost the series.

What to watch

The 2026 season will reveal whether the 10-3 Boston dominance is a new baseline or an anomaly. Watch the first few matchups at Fenway — if the Rays can steal a series there early, the rivalry will be wide open heading into summer.

Red Sox vs Rays stats?

The full statistical picture favors Boston, but not overwhelmingly. The Red Sox have hit .256 against the Rays all-time with a .749 OPS and .417 slugging percentage — solid numbers that translate to the 257-222 all-time record advantage. The Rays, meanwhile, have held their own at Tropicana Field with a 127-123 edge in games played in Tampa.

Season Records

  • 2025: Red Sox 10-3
  • 2024: Red Sox 6-7
  • 2023: Red Sox 2-11
  • 2022: Red Sox 7-12
The catch

The all-time numbers tell one story — Boston leads. But recent form tells another: the Red Sox went from 2-11 to 10-3 in two years, and a single hot streak can flip the narrative. Rely on current season data over career totals when evaluating matchup predictions.

Player Stats

StatMuse’s recent data shows Tampa Bay had 105 total bases in their last 10 games versus the Red Sox, averaging a .228 batting average. Those numbers suggest the Rays’ offense has work to do if they want to match their 2025 counterpart’s output. MLB.com and Sofascore track live stats throughout the season, and updated player-level breakdowns will be available as the 2026 schedule unfolds.

Bottom line

Boston holds the edge — the all-time record (257-222), the 2025 season series (10-3), and the home-field advantage at Fenway all favor the Red Sox. Rays fans shouldn’t write off their team: the 2008 ALCS showed what Tampa Bay can do when the stakes are highest, and the 16-1 blowout in April 2025 proves this rivalry can swing hard in either direction.

Complete Head-to-Head Comparison

Five categories, three data points each — the contrast between all-time dominance and recent volatility.

Category Red Sox Rays
All-Time Record 257 wins 222 wins
Home Record vs Rival 143-101 127-123
2025 Season 10-3 3-10
Playoff H2H Won 2013, 2021 Won 2008
Biggest Win 22-4 (July 2002) 16-1 (April 2025)

The comparison reveals a clear pattern: Boston dominates the ledger over time, but Tampa Bay holds the edge in the moments that matter most.

The trade-off

Boston dominates the all-time ledger and recent seasons, but Tampa Bay holds the edge in playoff success when it counted most. The Rays won the only ALCS meeting in 2008 and carried that confidence forward — that intangible advantage doesn’t show up in batting averages.

Rivalry Timeline

Twenty-five years of matchups, from Tampa Bay’s early struggles to their 2008 breakthrough and the back-and-forth battles of the 2020s.

Year Event Outcome
2001 (April–June) Red Sox 11-game winning streak Boston’s longest streak in rivalry
2002 (July 23) Red Sox 22-4 victory Largest margin: 18 runs
2008 AL Championship Series Rays won 4-3
2013 AL Division Series Red Sox won 3-1
2021 AL Division Series Red Sox won 3-1
2023 Regular season Red Sox went 2-11
2025 Regular season Red Sox went 10-3
2026 (May 7) Next scheduled game Fenway Park
Bottom line: The Red Sox own the all-time record and the recent head-to-head form, but the Rays have punched above their weight in the moments that matter most. Boston fans should feel confident entering 2026 — the 10-3 2025 record is real and the home-field advantage at Fenway is documented. Rays supporters, though, remember 2008 and know their team peaks when the lights are brightest.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

The data available for this article is extensive on some fronts, thin on others.

Confirmed

  • All-time record: Red Sox 257-222
  • 2025 season: Red Sox 10-3
  • Home record at Fenway: Red Sox 143-101
  • Playoff results: 2008 ALCS (Rays), 2013 ALDS (Red Sox), 2021 ALDS (Red Sox)
  • Longest Red Sox win streak: 11 consecutive games (April–June 2001)

Unclear

  • 2026 season-by-season favorite — current data ends at 2025
  • Player-level matchup statistics for 2026
  • Pitching-specific ERA and strikeout data for head-to-head games
  • Roster changes and injury impacts for the 2026 season

The rivalry started as a David-and-Goliath story when Tampa Bay arrived in 1998. It became something else entirely when the Rays reached the World Series in 2008, beating the Red Sox along the way. Now, with the 2025 season in the books, the story is about sustained Boston dominance — but also about a team that has proven it can flip the script.

— Ticketmaster Blog, Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox Series History

The Red Sox finished 2025 with a 10-3 record against Tampa Bay, and the 13-7 mark in their last 20 games suggests this isn’t a fluke. But baseball has a way of humbling the favorite — the Rays’ 16-1 win on April 14, 2025 stands as a reminder that on any given day, the matchup can flip completely.

— Statistical analysis from StatMuse (season record data)

Related reading: PSG vs Tottenham Stats · Aston Villa vs Man City Stats

Their spring training clash on March 13 ended 7-6 for Boston at JetBlue Park, where player stats from March 13 box score spotlight pitching rotations and offensive bursts shaping this rivalry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Red Sox vs Rays score today?

Live scores are available at MLB.com and StatMuse. The next scheduled matchup is May 7, 2026 at Fenway Park. For current season scores, check MLB.com’s Red Sox scoreboard or StatMuse’s game logs.

Red Sox vs Rays live stream?

Live streaming options vary by market and regional broadcast rights. MLB.tv offers out-of-market streaming, while local fans can catch games on regional sports networks. Fenway Park and Tropicana Field games are broadcast nationally on ESPN and MLB Network during key series.

Red Sox vs Rays last game result?

The final 2025 regular season games came in September at Tropicana Field. Boston won 11-7 on September 19 and 6-3 on September 20, before Tampa Bay closed the series with a 7-3 victory on September 21.

What are Red Sox vs Rays odds?

Odds for 2026 games will be posted as the season approaches. FOX Sports and major sportsbooks update odds regularly. Based on 2025 performance (10-3 Boston), the Red Sox enter as the statistical favorite, though odds shift based on starting pitchers and recent form.

Rays vs Red Sox head-to-head all time?

The all-time record stands at Red Sox 257 wins, Rays 222 wins, across 479 total games. Boston’s .537 winning percentage reflects consistent success over Tampa Bay across 25+ years of matchups.

When is the next Red Sox vs Rays game?

The next scheduled matchup is May 7, 2026 at Fenway Park, per the current MLB schedule. Full 2026 series dates will be released as the season calendar is finalized.

Red Sox vs Rays player stats?

Player-level statistics against specific opponents are tracked on StatMuse and MLB.com. Individual matchup data for 2026 will accumulate as the season progresses. The most recent available data shows Tampa Bay averaged .228 batting average against Boston in their last 10 matchups.

Bottom line: Boston holds the edge — the all-time record (257-222), the 2025 season series (10-3), and the home-field advantage at Fenway all favor the Red Sox. But Rays fans shouldn’t write off their team. The 2008 ALCS showed what Tampa Bay can do when the stakes are highest, and the 16-1 blowout in April 2025 proves this rivalry can swing hard in either direction. For bettors and analysts: weight recent form heavily, watch the early May matchup at Fenway, and don’t sleep on Tampa Bay’s ability to compete when it counts.