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).
