American League powers Boston and Texas will kick start a three game set tonight at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. This evening’s series opener between the two clubs is scheduled to get underway at 8:00pm ET on ESPN. The latest MLB Odds have the hosting Rangers listed as a -121 moneyline favorite; the Over 10.5 runs is also drawing favored status at -115 odds. Boston is a +111 play to take tonight’s game one clash.
Texas second half start has been an uneven one with the team winning four of its eight post-All-Star break games, but it comes into tonight’s contest with more momentum than Boston. The Red Sox won five of their first seven second half games, but they dropped three straight at home to the Blue Jays over the weekend to fall to 48-48 for the season.
Bobby Valentine’s crew will look to right the ship and climb out of the AL East cellar tonight with young left hander Felix Doubront on the hill. Doubront owns a modest 4.24 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, but his record is an impressive 10-4 as the Red Sox have averaged 6.8 runs per game in his 18 appearances. Doubront was in top form his last time out, limiting the White Sox to four hits and one earned run over six innings, and Boston, per usual, backed the Venezuelan native with a plethora of runs to win 10-1.
Doubront, for what its worth, has been a much better pitcher on the road this season, producing a 5-1 record and 3.09 ERA in eight away starts.
Texas, which returns home for the first time since the All-Star break, will look to rebound from a series loss at Los Angeles by sending seven year veteran Scott Feldman to the mound. The 29 year old right hander, who has worked both as a reliever and starter this season, brings a 3-6 record and 5.89 ERA into tonight’s game. Feldman is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA in eight showings (five starts) at Rangers Ballpark; he is 0-0 with a 5.06 ERA in seven appearances against Boston.
The Red Sox lost a two game set with Texas earlier this year, falling 18-3 and 6-3 at Rangers Ballpark, but they are 4-4 in their last eight meetings with the defending American League champions.
MLB Odds Betting Trend: The Red Sox are 4-0 in Felix Doubront’s four starts as a road underdog this season.
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MLB Odds 2012 Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers: Provided by SBG Global
Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-170), Over 10.5 (-115), +111 (Moneyline)
Texas Rangers -1.5 (+150), Under 10.5 (-105), -121 (Moneyline)
