Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers 7/4/23

The Texas Rangers (50-35) take their league-best lineup on the road to face the Boston Red Sox (43-42) at Fenway Park on Tuesday to open a three-game series.

The Rangers are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up an eight-game homestand (3-5). They won only one out of four in their last series against the Astros, dropping the finale 12-11 on Monday at Globe Life Field.

Travis Jankowski was 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and five RBIs. Leody Taveras also went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. The Red Sox are back home for a six-game homestand.

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays, taking the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. Jarren Duran went 5 for 5 with four doubles and three runs.

Rafael Devers went 3 for 3 with two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Red Sox won six of the seven games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a four-game set at Fenway Park in September.

ON THE MOUND

Dane Dunning (7-1, 2.69 ERA) is slated to start for Texas. The RHP allowed two runs over 8.2 innings in his last start, a 10-2 road win over the Tigers on Wednesday.

He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out 10. Over two starts against the Red Sox in 2022, Dunning was 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA over 9.2 innings. He had eight strikeouts and five walks.

AT THE PLATE

The Texas offense is averaging 5.9 runs per game for the season, the best in the league, with a slash line of .274/.343/.459. Six Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Adolis Garcia (.830).

The right fielder is slashing .259/.327/.503 with 21 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 63 runs over 84 games. Boston is slashing .260/.329/.424 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game.

Four Red Sox hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Masataka Yoshida (.854). The left fielder has nine home runs, 41 RBIs, and 41 runs scored with a slash line of .305/.377/.477.

Boston is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five with their on-base percentage slipping to .296. The Sox have a .754 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 212 at-bats, Alex Verdugo has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Texas is 23-17 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Boston has lost three in a row at their home ballpark.

The Sox are 21-21 at home this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. Boston is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Fenway Park with an average scoreline of 5.9-4.6.