The Boston Red Sox will pay a visit to Globe Life Park to face the Texas Rangers. This AL matchup will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET and New England Sports Network is in line to televise the game.
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Vegas has listed Texas (+130) as the underdog to Boston (-140). Gamblers are able to wager on the games total with odds posted at -110 for over 9.5 runs and -110 for under 9.5. The games current runline odds sit at +105 for betting the Red Sox -1.5 runs and -125 for the Rangers +1.5 runs.
The Rangers are 12-20 SU and 13-18 ATS. They’ve lost 0.9 units for moneyline bettors and 9.1 units against the spread (ATS). Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Red Sox have gone 22-8 SU this year and are 14-15 ATS. Overall, the teams accumulated 8.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline in this young season, but have lost 1.2 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Texas games have had an over/under record of 16-13-2 so far in 2018. The Red Sox have an over/under record of 16-12-1.
The left-handed David Price is projected to start for the visiting Red Sox. Price is 2-3 with a 3.78 ERA and 28 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rangers this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 0.00 ERA and nine strikeouts across six innings).
The Rangers are putting the ball in the left hand of Mike Minor (2-1, 4.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), who has 24 strikeouts and six walks. Minor did not record a start against the Red Sox in 2017.
Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.09 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.69, along with a WHIP of 1.15 and a K/9 of 9.77.
Red Sox hitters have slashed .272/.340/.457 on their way to 5.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have led Boston’s hitters. Betts is slashing .365/.451/.823 with 11 home runs, 21 RBIs and 32 runs scored, while Martinez (.343/.392/.593) is up to six homers, 24 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
Betts enjoyed hitting against left-handed pitching last season. Over 148 plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .306/.412/.516 (his overall season line was .264/.344/.459).
For the home team, Texas pitchers have given up 5.4 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.18, a WHIP of 1.51 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.3. The bullpen has a 4.56 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.2 K/9.
Texas hitters have put up 3.9 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 5.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .257/.312/.524 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Joey Gallo and Shin-soo Choo have led the Rangers batters this year. Gallo is slashing .225/.306/.508 with 10 home runs, 22 RBIs and 19 runs scored, and Choo’s line is .252/.340/.439 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .209/.332/.536, Gallo enjoyed batting against lefty pitching at home last year, slashing .259/.429/.556 over 70 such plate appearances.
The Red Sox have lost 2.2 units and are 2-3 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to four that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 2.8 units and are 2-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The overs hit in five of those games, compared to two that went under.
Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Red Sox have won three of their last four games SU.
- Texas has posted 22.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 24.4 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
