For the start of their second set of the campaign, the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers will gather at Fenway Park Thursday night.
When they met in mid-May, Boston took the first two by a combined 18-4 score before the Rangers dodged a sweep with a 7-1 win in the finale.
Before we get into our Rangers vs. Red Sox picks, let’s size up the competitors.
MLB Performance Recap
Texas (58-71) was just swept in a brief, two-game bill against the American League’s top team, divisional rival Houston.
At home against the Astros, All-Star pitcher Martin Perez’s effort wasn’t enough to overtake the opponents’ Jose Altuve Wednesday, who came across twice and drove in two more runs in a 5-3 win. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe accounted for two of the Rangers’ six knocks.
Factoring in their series loss against the Detroit Tigers, the defeat was Texas’ fourth in a row. If they’re to make a push for a spot in the postseason over the final month and change, that skid will need to come to a halt — and soon.
A Separation by a Dozen Games
A dozen games separate the Rangers and the final AL Wild Card spot, which Toronto currently possesses with a 70-59 record.
Right in front of them in those standings are the Red Sox (63-68), who are eight games behind in the table. Boston just put an end to a three-game slide, salvaging the last leg of a visit to the Minnesota Twins.
The Red Sox won that Wednesday game, 6-5, with shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ performance coming up big.
He belted a grand slam with none out in the top of the third frame and pushed across five base runners in total.
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez also made his mark with a multi-hit game that included a solo home run later in that inning.
Pitcher Michael Wacha improved his record to 10-1 for Boston, going six innings and allowing only four hits and a pair of earned runs.
He also punched out seven challengers. Reliever Matt Barnes collected his fourth save of the year with a scoreless ninth.
Red Sox Team Batting Average
The Red Sox haven’t had too much trouble in the batter’s box, as their .257 team batting average is the third-best in the AL.
They also rank near the top third of MLB when it comes to runs scored and driving runs in, but their home run total ranks 19th in the bigs.
Bogaerts has been a force this year, hitting .308 and compiling a .376 on-base percentage. His 142 hits are also the most on the team. Helping him out is third baseman Rafael Devers, who has 25 dingers and 66 RBIs.
Since coming over in a trade, left fielder Tommy Pham has added some value to the order, swinging for a .308 batting average in a 25-game span. He has a dozen extra-base hits, including four long balls during that time.
Five Boston players have registered at least 11 homers, a list that includes the second baseman Trevor Story and first baseman Bobby Dalbec.
At the moment, first baseman Eric Hosmer is the only position player out with an injury, as he’s resumed swinging while nursing a banged-up back.
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers Odds
MLB odds today favor the home squad. Boston is -1.5 on the run line at +125, while the Rangers are -150 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Red Sox are -162 and Texas a +136 underdog. The total has been set at 9.5 runs, with the over being -108 and the under -112 at the time of this writing.
MLB Stats
MLB team stats show the Rangers have a .244 collective batting average, which isn’t the best but isn’t the worst, either.
They’re in the same neighborhood as the Red Sox as it pertains to RBIs and their 159 homers are the eighth-most in MLB.
Lowe Stats
As of late, Lowe has been on a bit of a tear, hitting .409 over his last 22 plate appearances. He has a triple, three homers, and eight runs driven in during that particular stretch.
Lowe also paces the order with a .301 average and a .352 on-base percentage for the campaign. Shortstop Corey Seager has slugged 29 dingers, while center fielder Adolis Garcia has 80 RBIs. Seven Texas hitters have ten or more long balls.
- Garcia
- second baseman Marcus Semien
- catchers Jonah Heim
- Mitch Garver,
- right fielder Kole Calhoun
Are in that group. Garver is currently on the 60-day injured list.
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers Betting Preview
You’ve got to know what the matchup on the hill is before you make your Rangers vs. Red Sox picks.
Glenn Otto as Starting Pitcher
Right-hander Glenn Otto is scheduled to start for the visiting crew, owning a 6-8 record and a 4.79 ERA on his way in. He’s made 20 starts thus far, throwing 99.2 innings. He has a 1.39 WHIP.
Texas endured an eight-game losing streak with him on the mound from late June to early August. The trust paid off, though, as the Rangers have now come out on the right side of his last four. Otto has notched a pair of winning decisions over that stretch.
In none of his starts since July began has he allowed more than four runs in an appearance. Last Friday against Detroit, he lasted five innings, giving up five hits, two walks, and four earned runs.
Rich Hill as Starting Pitcher
For the Red Sox, 6-foot-5 southpaw Rich Hill will provide the opposition. The 42-year-old is 6-5 this season and has a 4.32 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
He won both of his last two outings for Boston, going a combined dozen frames, allowing six hits and a mere two earned runs.
He shut Tampa Bay out and struck out 11 batters last Saturday. The veteran has allowed more than four runs in an effort on just one occasion this year — at the end of May against Baltimore.
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions
Now, for the Rangers vs. Red Sox picks. Hill, the wily veteran, gives his team something of an advantage in this one.
MLB games today and in the near future have a lot of meaning for the Red Sox, who are hoping to sneak into the playoffs, even as they sit in last place in the AL East division.
With how their hurler pitched against a solid Rays team, he should have another worthwhile performance here. Take the Red Sox to cover at home as part of your MLB picks today.
MLB Pick: Red Sox -1.5 (-110)
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