The first MLB betting series of the season between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox comes to an end tonight. The BoSox won their first two games 11-6 and 9-4.
Time: 7:10 PM
Venue: Fenway Park
MLB betting odds for fans who bet on baseball:
Rangers +1½ (-115) 9 (EV) +188
Red Sox -1½ (-105) 9 (-120) -205
Texas
On the mound: Nick Martinez (RHP, 1-2, 4.33 ERA) picked up his first W of the season – and first since August 2015 – in a 5-3 win against the Tigers on Friday, allowing one unearned run in five innings. Martinez is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in three starts versus Boston and 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last two starts. According to the righty, he regained his confidence following a disappointing 2016 season thanks to his curveball and changeup. “I’m more comfortable throwing those pitches in any count,” the right-hander said.
MLB betting trends for fans who bet on baseball
The Rangers have won 11 of their last 14 games but have lost 30% of their last 20 road games. Texas is 1-4 straight-up and against the spread in the last five meetings with the Red Sox. The MLB betting total has gone over in five of the Rangers’ last seven games, over in two thirds of their last six on the road, and over in 80% of their last five games versus BoSox.
Boston
On the mound: Drew Pomeranz (LHP, 3-3, 4.97 ERA) was pulled out after throwing 95 pitches in four innings versus the A’s on Saturday – the third straight start he fails to reach the fifth inning. Manager John Farrell says Pomz needs to rely more on his cutter. Just like DDP. “I think that was a pitch that allowed him to put a ball on the ground and potentially get a couple of outs with one pitch,” Farrell said on Wednesday. “As a four-seam/curveball guy, there’s going to be fly balls, foul balls and strikeouts.” Only 28.1% of Pomeranz’s throws this season in a two-strike count have culminated in a K or batted ball – the second-lowest rate in pitchers who have at least 200 two-strike pitches this season. Sinistral batters are hitting .406 this season against Pomeranz, including two homers, in eight starts. The left-handed pitcher has never allowed more than two home runs in a season to left-handed hitters in his career. Pomeranz is 3-1 with 4.38 ERA at home and 0-2 with 6.08 ERA on the road.
At bat
Designated batter Hanley Ramirez has two home runs twice in six career plate appearances versus Martinez Miscellanea: Mitch Moreland is set to return to Boston’s lineup for the final game of the series after not starting on Wednesday.
Trends for fans who bet on baseball
The Red Sox have won –as well as covered the spread – their last five times hosting the Rangers. The MLB betting has gone over in Boston’s last five games at home, and over in 80% in the last five encounters between the Red Sox and the Rangers at Fenway Park.