Both teams are coming off disappointing defeats in starting a crucial three-game series in Arlington.
Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers
Boston will look to rebound from a disappointing 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday in Toronto, as closer Jonathan Papelbon suffered his sixth blown save of the season. “I didn’t have much power or energy in my delivery today,” said Papelbon. The Red Sox are now 4-3 on their current 10-game road trip and have fallen four games back in the wild card race behind the Rays. The collapse of the bullpen was unusual, with the unit posting a 1.57 ERA over its last 15 games and the closer’s 0.75 ERA in 24 previous appearances against the Blue Jays. The club is 10-5 as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season (+600) and the total is 7-7 O/U in those contests. Boston is just 7-6 over the course of this month, but is a fantastic 41-27 in August the last three years (+900).
Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett is 3-2 with a 6.21 ERA in 12 starts this season, but suffered one of his worst outings last time out. He dropped a 7-2 road decision to the Yankees, allowing seven runs and 11 hits in just 4.2 innings. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in seven away starts this year, as opposing hitters are hitting a combined .309 against him. He hasn’t enjoyed great success in August over his career, posting a losing 15-17 mark and 4.48 ERA in 44 starts, as it’s the only month that his record is under .500. In six career starts versus the Rangers, Beckett is an even 2-2 with a 4.82 ERA, including a 2-1 mark and 2.25 ERA in Texas.
Texas will begin this three-game series with a 7 1/2-game lead in the AL West division, but is coming off a gut-wrenching 7-6 loss to the Yankees. “It’s definitely tough, but it’s just one game,” outfielder David Murphy said. “A sign of a good team is resiliency and we’ve shown it all season.” The Rangers 37-22 record at home ranks as the second-best mark in the American League and seventh-best in the majors. The club has gone 12-4-2 in series at home this season, with a 7-2-1 record in Arlington series since the beginning of June. Texas has struggled against AL East opponents, posting a losing 10-17 mark, including a 6-8 record at home. The Rangers are 10-4 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 (+420) and 34-21 in this situation the last three years (+480). The team has had its troubles in August, going 29-38 over the last three seasons, including a 4-5 record this year (-230).
Rangers starting pitcher Tommy Hunter is 9-1 with a 3.01 ERA in 12 starts this season, with the team alternating wins and losses in his last three outings. He picked up a 6-0 road victory in his last appearance, tossing 6.1 shutout innings and scattering eight hits while striking out five. The right-hander is a perfect 6-0 with a 2.53 ERA in seven home starts, allowing opponents to hit for a combined .243 average. He has made all but one of his starts under the lights, posting an 8-1 record and 3.30 ERA. In three lifetime starts against the Red Sox, he is 2-1 with a 7.53 ERA, managing to strike out just four batters in 14.1 innings.
Bettors may want to focus on both teams record against winning opponents during the second half of the season. The Red Sox come in with a 10-10 record (-60), while the Rangers have compiled an impressive 13-6 mark (+590).
