Will The Red Sox Break A Four-Game Losing Streak?
Rangers vs Red Sox Betting Preview: Leaning Red Sox In a Tight Series
The Texas Rangers were a dynasty in the making after last year’s success.
After last year’s World Series championship, many analysts and fans believed the Rangers would be one of the best teams in the MLB again this season.
But that hasn’t been the case. The Rangers are 7.5 games back from the AL West and even more games back from the AL Wild Card race. Now that we’re in the middle of August, time is running out for the former World Series champions.
They’ll take on the Boston Red Sox in a three-game series on the road. Luckily for the Rangers, they’re facing a Red Sox MLB team that is struggling just as much. After all, the Red Sox have a winning record but have lost four consecutive games heading into this series.
Can the Rangers play themselves back into the MLB playoff race with a three-game series against the Red Sox?
Oddsmakers don’t believe so.
- They’ve got the Red Sox favored at -127, with the total at 9. However, the Over is juiced to -118 at this time.
Here’s a look at our Rangers vs Red Sox betting preview for this three-game American League series.
Rangers vs Red Sox 
📊Records: Rangers (55-63)/Red Sox (61-55)
⏰Day/Time:
📍Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
📺Streaming: ESPN
Will Jacob deGrom Return This Season?
The Texas Rangers have been waiting on Jacob deGrom since last season. He’s spent 15 months rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is now reportedly close to a return.
The Rangers are encouraged, with deGrom’s first bullpen session just another step closer to pitching for the Rangers.
Can’t make this up. According to Bleacher Report, the return Jacob Degrom to the 54-59 Texas Rangers will have a bigger impact on the pennant race than Triston Casas pic.twitter.com/ZV6BmqlmQV
— Daniel Fox (@DanBFox1287) August 6, 2024
Ultimately, if the Rangers aren’t in the MLB playoff bracket, Texas might sneak in a start or two for deGrom before the season ends so that he can get a feel for the big league mound again and play in live action.
But at this point, with Texas struggling, there’s no reason to rush deGrom back on the mound.
Jarren Duran Could Face Discipline After Homophobic Slur
Yesterday, Jarren Duran used an inappropriate slur to a fan heckling him. However, the television broadcast mic picked up the whole interaction.
This led to Duran apologizing after the game. At this time, it’s unclear if he’ll be punished for his actions. If anything, it’ll likely be a one-game suspension, if anything. It won’t ruin the Red Sox’s MLB standings 2024 position.
Rangers vs Red Sox Betting Preview & Odds For Game 1:
RL: Red Sox -1.5 (+145) ML: Red Sox -127, O/U: 9 -118/-102
Rangers vs Red Sox Series Preview
⚾ Game 1 ⚾
- Monday, 7:10 pm ET
- Tyler Mahle vs. Brayan Bello
After returning from Tommy John surgery, Tyler Mahle will get his second start with the Rangers. Mahle doesn’t have a significant sample size.
But in that game against the Astros, Mahle held 21 batters to a .050 ISO and wOBA of .263. He also walked just 4.8% of batters and allowed only 11.1% of line drives.
He’ll go up against a fierce Red Sox lineup against righties. The lefties have added a .240 ISO and wOBA of .396 against righties over the last month. But Mahle earned 20% swinging strikes against lefties in that first game.
- Boston has also struck out 23.4% of the time against righties over the last month. That leaves some room for Mahle to earn strikeouts and limit the damage.
On the other hand, Brayan Bello will take the hill for the Red Sox. The young right-hander has been dominant against other righties.
He’s just struggled against lefties badly throughout the season. In the last month, Bello has allowed a .293 ISO and wOBA of .400 to his previous 65 lefties.
He’s also earned just 12.3% of strikeouts against lefties in that time and has allowed nearly 52% of line drives.
Texas should have more lefties than righties in the lineup, including Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe. Both have shown plenty of power against righties lately.
Therefore, back the Rangers at +117 on the moneyline tonight per our Rangers vs Red Sox betting preview.
⚾ Game 2 ⚾
- Tuesday, 7:10 pm ET
- Jose Urena vs. Kutter Crawford
In the second MLB matchup, Jose Urena will take the mound for the Rangers. He’s been poor against lefties over the past month, allowing a .444 ISO and wOBA of .478 to his last 32 lefties.
Urena has also walked 15.6% of lefties and has allowed 35% of line drives and 35% of fly balls, with only 30% of ground balls induced.
Again, the Red Sox dominate righties, and this time, they should have no problem connecting against Urena.
Meanwhile, Kutter Crawford will get another start for Boston. He’s limited walks well over the last month. However, he’s done nothing else well.
- Over the last 30 days. Crawfords has allowed 114 batters to hit a .411 ISO and wOBA of .416.
Crawford has induced below 30% of grounders and has allowed 37.5% of fly balls with 47.7% of hard contact.
In addition, Crawford has only struck out 16.7% of batters over the last 30 days. If you’re looking for runs in this series, this is the game you’ll get it. Take the Over.
⚾ Game 3 ⚾
- Wednesday, 6:10 pm ET
- TBD vs. Tanner Houck
The Rangers have not announced their starter for this series finale. However, Boston has. The Red Sox will use Tanner Houck, a right-handed pitcher who has earned 54.3% of ground balls over the last month.
Houck has also held his last 105 batters to a152 ISO and has limited fly balls to 17.3%.
Ultimately, Houck’s strikeout numbers have collapsed. But he’s still getting contact, which typically results in outs.
As we’ve suggested many times, the Rangers don’t have a lineup that has consistent power against righties. Our MLB predictions believe Houck should start to see better numbers soon.
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