Marcus Semien will be looking to extend his 15-game on-base streak as the Texas Rangers (58-74) face off against the Boston Red Sox (66-68) at Fenway Park on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series. The Red Sox lead the series 3-0 after winning 5-3 on Saturday, their fifth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Brayan Bello threw six scoreless innings to get the win, and John Schreiber threw 0.2 scoreless innings to pick up his sixth save. Trevor Story went 2 for 4 with two doubles and one RBI in the win. Bubba Thompson was 3 for 4 with one run for the Rangers.
ON THE MOUND
Dane Dunning (3-7, 4.16 ERA) is set for the start for Texas. The RHP allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Astros on Tuesday. He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out five and walking three. Dunning has made one previous start against the Red Sox this season, a 7-1 home loss on May 13. He surrendered five runs on six hits over 5.2 innings, striking out six and walking two. RHP Kutter Crawford (3-6, 5.47 ERA) will toe the rubber for Boston. He has made one prior appearance against the Rangers this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over two innings in a 7-1 road win on May 13. He gave up one hit and walked one, while striking out one in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Crawford took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on four hits, striking out five and walking four in the 10-5 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 3.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while slashing worse across the board (.241/.298/.374). Against right-handed pitchers like Crawford this season, the Rangers have a .686 OPS. Nathaniel Lowe is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .808 OPS in 340 at-bats. Boston is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with an improved slash line (.298/.381/.461). The Sox have a .716 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .921 OPS over 337 at-bats, Rafael Devers has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 30-36 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Boston has gone 34-34 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. In the last 10 games at Fenway Park between the teams, Boston is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.7-4.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers are third in the AL West, 26 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 14 games behind the Yankees.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
