Underdog Red Sox Look to Extend Win Streak
Who: Boston Red Sox v. Texas Rangers
When: Tuesday July 4th, 2017 8:00PM EST
Where: Ballpark at Arlington—Arlington, Texas
The Red Sox needed extra innings to take care of the Texas Rangers in game one of their series on Monday, but the game was a solid one from start to finish. Thanks to their scoring 2 runs in the top of the 11th frame, the Red Sox were able to see off a Rangers team that has won just one of its last 6. The Red Sox, on the other hand, now lay claim to the longest active winning streak in MLB, having won 5 straight.
When the two meet on Tuesday night, the storyline will have not changed all that much. The Red Sox will be trying to build on this streak as well as their lead atop the AL East, while the Rangers will be fighting to remain a team that has a shot at a postseason berth. What looked like a strong Wild Card team only a few weeks ago has quickly transitioned into a squad that may be out of the playoff conversation soon if they do not turn things around in a hurry.
Game Overview and Analysis
When these two reconvene on Tuesday night, there will be two very well-known players on the mound for both sides. For the Rangers (-126), who are at home, it is going to be Yu Darvish (6-6 3.11 ERA) who will be taking the mound. Yu has been somewhat inconsistent this year, and is coming off of a streak of 3 starts that saw him either earn a loss or earn no decision at all. In his 2 earned losses, Yu has given up a total of 7 earned in 11 innings of work, and has clearly left a lot to be desired with regard to his overall performance.
Darvish’s inconsistency is highlighted by the fact that in his 2 recent losses he combined for 12 strikeouts, while in his only no decision he recorded 10. What we know about Yu is how good he can be, but so far this year it is tough to say what Darvish will be taking the field for the Rangers. Add that to the fact that his offense has been anything but the terror they have been in recent years, and it is tough to be sure of what Darvish is going to deliver.
For the Red Sox (+!06), it is going to be David Price (3-2 4.61 ERA) who will be taking the mound. Like Darvish, Price is a pitcher who can be lights out just as readily as he can throw an awful game. Price is coming off a decent performance against the Twins that saw him give up 3 earned in 7 innings all while striking out 7. If he can replicate that performance in Texas tonight, I do not think he will have too tough of a time keeping the Rangers’ bats quiet.
Both of these teams have the ability to hit the ball sprinkled throughout their respective lineups, and we saw that, to some extent, on Monday. Having said that, I think the pitchers will take more of the focus in this one, as they are both big names who are looking to find some balance in a season that has been devoid of it.
Betting Prediction
As much as I think the Rangers, behind a stellar Darvish performance, might be able to eek this one out, I do not think that this is going to happen. As such, I think your best bet is a moneyline wager on the Red Sox (+106). The odds are just better than even, and I am really banking on the momentum the Sox have accrued during this 5-game winning streak. Despite them being on the road on a night where the stands are sure to be packed, I am still giving the Red Sox the upper hand in this one.
The over/under is currently listed by Bovada at 9 runs (-110/-120). Because of the supposed talent of both of these pitchers, I think the wager you have to go with is the under (-120). Though neither of these pitchers have had 2017s to write home about, I think they will both be able to keep the run tally well under this mark. There is an alternate over/under of 10.5 runs (+150/-195), and though the value isn’t great, I also think the under is a good call.
Finally, the last proposition that sticks out to me is the team total for the Red Sox, which is currently listed at 4.5 runs (+110/-135). I think the Red Sox should be able to manage to score 4 or more runs, and if they do the value on the over is there. I would not consider this to be a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination, but if Darvish comes out and is ineffective, the runs may begin to pile up.