The Texas Rangers will look to win their second straight over the Boston Red Sox when their series continues at Fenway Park tonight. Boston has hit a rough patch, winning just four of its last 12 outings, while Texas is 4-4 over its last eight games.
It’s shaping up as a potential pitching duel with Jon Gray and Brayan Bello, each ranking within the Top 20 in ERA this season.
Which starter will give his club the edge tonight? We’ll discuss in our Rangers vs Red Sox MLB picks and predictions for Wednesday, July 5.
Looking for today's game? Check out our Rangers vs. Red Sox picks for Thursday, July 6.
Rangers vs Red Sox odds
Rangers vs Red Sox predictions
The Red Sox were building some momentum with a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays over the weekend but had that streak halted in Tuesday's series opener vs. Texas. Boston has been floundering a bit of late and that can be largely attributed to their lackluster hitting — the club ranks 30th in the majors with 44 runs scored over the last 15 days.
That said, the Red Sox will likely need a boost from their pitching if they’re going to get back on track. Fortunately, Brayan Bello has been at the top of his game recently and looks poised to deliver another strong start.
The right-hander pitched a gem last time out, scattering just two hits and one earned run over seven innings against the Marlins on June 29. He’s given up just one earned run in three straight outings and has held opponents to two earned runs or less in 10 of his last 11 appearances.
While the Rangers have been hot offensively, averaging 6.38 runs per game over their last eight contests, I’m banking on Bello to serve up another quality start and keep Texas’ total down.
My best bet: Rangers team total Under 4.5 (+105 at DraftKings)
Rangers vs Red Sox same-game parlay
Rangers team total Under 4.5 (+105)
Brayan Bello 5+ strikeouts (-150)
Rafael Devers 1+ hits (-285)
Our same-game parlay will focus on Bello, who I’m also going to lean on to throw five strikeouts. The 24-year-old has recorded at least five Ks in each of his last three starts, highlighted by a season-high eight punchouts on June 18 against the Yankees. Bello has posted five or more strikeouts in 10 of 13 starts this year.
I’m rounding out the parlay with another Red Sox prop, banking on Rafael Devers to record a hit tonight. While Boston's bats have been quiet as a whole, Devers can't be lumped in alongside the rest. The third baseman is batting .435 with 10 hits over the last week, with seven hits in his last three games. Devers has also recorded a hit in 10 of his last 12 outings.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rangers vs Red Sox moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The clubs opened at nearly identical odds for this matchup and most books had both the Rangers and Red Sox at -110 this morning, making this one a pick ‘em. By now you can probably tell that I’m putting my faith in Bello to throw another strong start, and that should give Boston the edge.
Jon Gray has been excellent on the mound for the Rangers this season as well but has run into some trouble in recent starts. He was rocked for seven hits and five earned runs by the Astros last time out on June 30 and also gave up six earned runs just two starts prior.
Tonight’s total can be found at either 9.5 or 10 runs and I’m liking the Under based on this pitching duel, as well as Boston’s sluggish offense.
While Gray has been rocked in two of his recent outings, he’s held opponents to just one earned run in seven of his last nine. If both he and Bello are on — which is usually the case — we likely won’t see a ton of scoring tonight.
The Under is also 3-1-1 in the Rangers’ last five games and 5-1 in the Red Sox’s last six home contests.
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Trend to know
Boston is 7-3 in its last 10 games vs. a team with a winning record. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Red Sox
Rangers vs Red Sox game info
| Location: | Fenway Park, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Wednesday, July 5, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MLB Network |
Starting pitchers
Jon Gray (6-4, 3.21 ERA): June was Gray’s worst month of the season but he still put up respectable numbers, posting a 3.99 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over five starts. His month was highlighted by a complete game against the Cardinals on June 7, holding them to just four hits and one earned run while fanning 12.
Brayan Bello (5-5, 3.08 ERA): After a less-than-stellar rookie campaign, Bello has found his rhythm this season. He surrendered eight earned runs over his first two starts of the year but has since posted seven quality starts in his subsequent 11 games. June was Bello’s best month so far, posting a 2.14 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP across five outings.
