The Texas Rangers (58-71) are in New England this week to face the Boston Red Sox (63-68) and wrap their season series with a 4-game set. First pitch for the opener at Fenway Park will be at 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rangers vs. Red Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Red Sox lead 2-1
The Rangers have lost 4 games in a row, dropping 2 to the Detroit Tigers and 2 to the Houston Astros. They sit 3rd in the AL West, 25 games back of the Astros for the division lead. Three of their last 4 losses have come by at least 2 runs and they’ve allowed 4 or more runs in each of their last 7 games.
The Red Sox snapped their 3-game losing skid by beating the Minnesota Twins 6-5 Wednesday. Boston is 16 games back of the New York Yankees in the AL East.
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Rangers at Red Sox projected starters
RHP Glenn Otto vs. LHP Rich Hill
Otto (6-8, 4.79 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 99 2/3 IP.
- Was fairly impressive in August with a 2.93 ERA with a 2-1 record
- The Rangers have won his last 4 starts, a stretch in which he’s allowed 2 or fewer earned runs 3 times
Hill (6-5, 4.32 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 89 2/3 IP.
- Was brilliant in his last start with 7-scoreless innings and a season-high 11 strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday
- Boston has won, and he’s earned wins in, his last 2 starts which came against the Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates
Rangers at Red Sox odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rangers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Red Sox-180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-140) | Red Sox -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Rangers at Red Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Sox 6, Rangers 4
Money line
The Red Sox have played some uninspiring ball lately with 9 losses in their last 13 games. However, Hill was great in his last start and now they’re back at home playing against a struggling Rangers team. Despite Texas ranking 11th in batting average against lefties (.253), I like the Red Sox to win at Fenway.
However, with the ML sitting at -180, I’m going to PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Boston covered the spread against the Twins Wednesday, holding on to win 6-5 even after giving up 2 runs in the 8th. With the money line being juiced, there’s far more value in taking the Red Sox to cover the run line and win by at least a few runs.
I like the RED SOX -1.5 (+115) to cover, and getting that line at plus money is a good value.
Over/Under
The total went Over in 3 of the Red Sox’s last 4 games. The Over is 6-1 in the Rangers’ last 7 games, and even though they lost 5 of those games, they’re putting runs across the plate.
With a couple of volatile pitchers on the mound, I’m taking the OVER 9.5 (+110) in this matchup.
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