Red Sox vs Rangers Odds - Why Texas will overtake Boston in the Wild Card race
The Red Sox vs Rangers odds are more relevant and exciting than we ever could’ve expected at this point in the baseball betting season. Every game, inning, and pitch matters, as Boston leads Texas by half a game for the AL Wild Card. With each team falling behind in its own division, the Wild Card may be the only way into the playoffs.
Red Sox vs Rangers odds: Rangers among the majors’ best at home
- Lowell, Lester should be dynamite for Boston in series opener
- Brad Penny’s worth is living up to his surname
- Expects heroics from Josh Hamilton on Sunday
Tonight, 8:05 p.m. ET
Jon Lester (9-7, 3.67) vs Kevin Millwood (9-7, 3.38)
The Rangers rock at home, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win every single game there. It’s true that Kevin Millwood dominates at Rangers Ballpark; he’s 7-1 there with a 2.53 ERA. However, he’s just a start removed from missing time with as strained glue, so he could be on a pitch count. Also, Mike Lowell could put a serious hurt on him. Not only does Lowell have 18 RBI in 19 games since the All-Star Break, he’s also a career .339 hitter against Millwood with 13 RBI in 59 at-bats.
Strikeout machine Jon Lester whiffed 11 Rangers the last time he faced them in a complete-game gem. History should repeat itself in Friday’s sportsbook matchup.
MLB betting pick: Red Sox
Saturday, August 15, 8:05 p.m. ET
Brad Penny (7-6, 5.16) vs Derek Holland (5-7, 7.04)
Is Derek Holland officially breaking out? It’s sure looked that way in two of his last three starts, the most recent of which was a complete-game shutout of the mighty Los Angeles Angels. We should, however, temper our expectations for his Red Sox vs Rangers odds on Friday. He actually struggles at home (3-4, 6.70) and the Red Sox beat him up once already this season.
Then again, Brad Penny isn’t set up for success either. He has a 5.73 road ERA with 11 homers allowed in 55 innings, not to mention a gross post-All-Star-break line (1-3, 6.67). I’d bet over the total but go with Holland, who is simply throwing a better baseball these days.
MLB betting pick: Rangers
Sunday, August 16, 2:05 p.m. ET
Junichi Tazawa (1-1, 4.05) vs Dustin Nippert (3-1, 3.62)
The Red Sox vs Rangers odds conclude with a battle of unknowns. Terry Francona’s faith in rookie Junichi Tazawa paid off earlier this week when he held the Tigers to one run over five innings with six strikeouts. But how will the righty do against power lefty bats like the surging Josh Hamilton?
Dustin Nippert has been useful since returning to the Rangers rotation, surprising with a 10-strikeout performance against Cleveland despite allowing five runs. This matchup is a total crapshoot, but I’d go with the Rangers if I’m betting online. Nippert pitches well at home this season and Hamilton should put some runs on the board for Texas.
MLB betting pick: Rangers
For full Red Sox vs Rangers odds and all your sports betting needs, keep reading the Betting Edge at betonline.com.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.
