The Texas Rangers (42-79) and Boston Red Sox (69-54) open a three-game series at Fenway Park Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rangers vs. Red Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Rangers RHP Dane Dunning (5-7, 4.06 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.39 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 through 99 2/3 IP.
- The Rangers are 6-1 across Dunning’s last seven starts. He allowed no more than 3 runs in any of those appearances, giving up 11 total earned runs over 34 2/3 innings.
- Allowed only 2 runs while striking out 4 over 4 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics in his last start.
Red Sox LHP Chris Sale makes his second start since 2019. He allowed 2 ER on 6 H and 0 BB with 8 K across 5 IP in his season debut Saturday.
- In 15 games (11 starts) against the Rangers in his career, Sale is 7-2 with a 2.58 ERA and 100 strikeouts over 80 1/3 innings.
Rangers at Red Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Red Sox -333 (bet $333 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +2.5 (-120) | Red Sox -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Prediction
Red Sox 4, Rangers 3
Money line (ML)
The Red Sox have been on a cold streak and were swept by the New York Yankees in their last three-game series. They also dropped two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays before sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, as they struggle against good teams.
The Rangers aren’t a strong opponent, but Dunning has pitched well of late and Sale is making just his second start since 2019.
I still like the Red Sox in a close one, but I’d PASS on the -333 money line.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Red Sox are favored by 2.5 runs at home, which feels like a lot given the way they’ve been playing lately. Both teams are 5-5 ATS over their last 10 games, but Boston failed to cover in any of its three games against the Yankees.
Bet the RANGERS +2.5 (-120).
Over/Under (O/U)
The trends have been very different for these teams, with the total going Under in five of the Red Sox’s last seven games and Over in four of Texas’s last six.
Sale and Dunning should both pitch fairly well, even if they don’t go very deep into the game.
Take the UNDER 8.5 (+100) at even money.
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