The Texas Rangers didn’t have a pleasant weekend, as they dropped three of four at home against the rival Houston Astros. But there are clearly a lot of short memories in that clubhouse, as they returned to action last night with a solid road win over the Boston Red Sox.
Tonight, the Rangers (51-25, 24-17 away) will look to wrap up a series win, while the Red Sox will be looking to set up a rubber game for tomorrow.
First up, let’s take a look at the odds for the game, along with the pitching matchup, which features two right-handers. MLB odds have the Red Sox as the slightest of favorites, but that could easily change before the game starts.
Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox Odds
Odds are via Bovada as of July 5, 2023.
Moneyline
- Texas Rangers -108
- Boston Red Sox -112
Over/Under
- Over 9.5 (-115)
- Under 9.5 (-105)
Run Line
- Texas Rangers +1.5 (-210)
- Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+175)
Pitching Matchup for Rangers vs Red Sox
- Texas Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (6-4, 3.21 ERA)
- Boston Red Sox: RHP Brayan Bello (5-5, 3.08 ERA)
Will Bello and Gray Steal the Fenway Spotlight?
The Rangers and Red Sox are two of the more productive teams in the league offensively, but there is a good chance that pitching will steal the show in this matchup.
Gray is coming off of a substandard start against the Astros, in which he allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings.
But he has bounced back well from his poorer starts this season, and he has been outstanding away from Arlington, going 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in seven starts. He has allowed more than two runs only once on the road this season, and in his last four road starts, he has allowed just three runs, 14 hits, and five walks in 27 innings.
Bello, meanwhile, continues to be on a roll. He has allowed more than two earned runs only once in his last 11 starts, and he is coming off of a June in which he posted a 2.14 ERA and a WHIP of 0.86.
Bello’s first five home starts were higher-scoring games, featuring 9, 15, 16, 15, and 17 total runs. But in his last three home starts, only four, five, and five runs have been scored. Also, in the five games that Bello started in June, no more than five total runs were scored in any game (five, five, five, four, and two).
Bello isn’t the only one of tonight’s starters that has been a part of a number of lower-scoring games recently. In June, four of the five games that Gray started finished with eight or fewer runs.
Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction for Rangers vs Red Sox: Red Sox to win
Best Bets for Rangers vs Red Sox: Red Sox ML & Rangers/Red Sox under 9.5
The Red Sox are only 12-12 as a home favorite this season, but I like them in this spot. Bello certainly could use some of the run support he received in starts earlier this season, but I’m looking for Boston to edge out a close, low-scoring contest here.
Where to Bet on Rangers vs Red Sox
The Rangers vs Red Sox odds mentioned in this article are from Bovada, but they aren’t the only reputable sports betting site out there offering MLB odds.
There are a number of online sportsbooks that are good for betting on MLB and the other major American professional sports leagues, but the above books are four that we highly recommend.