MLB Predictions Preview …The Boston Red Sox will be looking to gain more ground on the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East standings, but they have to continue winning. Boston will send ace lefthander John Lester to the mound tonight. Lester has a 3.23 ERA to go along with a 10-4 record this season. Righthander Luis Mendoza will be the starting for the Rangers today. Mendoza is 2-5 this season with an 8.78 ERA.
MLB Predictions Betting Line …Oddsmakers at Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Red Sox listed as -250 money line favorites versus the Rangers, while the game's total is sitting at 11. The Rangers are getting +220 money line odds as a road underdog.
Lester's unbeaten streak was halted at 11 games in his last outing, though the lefty still turned in a decent performance (seven innings, four runs) against the White Sox. At Fenway Park this season, Lester is 6-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 12 starts. Left-handers are hitting just .233 against Lester. This will be the first time Lester has faced the Rangers since April 19, when he allowed 10 hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings. In that one, he got a no-decision.
Mendoza is 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break, and he is 1-3 with an 8.46 ERA on the road. Left-handed hitters are batting .352 off him, while right-handed hitters are batting .294. Opponents are hitting .381 with runners in scoring position, including .414 with two outs. He lost to the Red Sox, 11-3, on April 18 in Boston, then ended up on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.
The Red Sox took a 10-run first inning lead, trailed late, and stormed back to beat the Rangers 19-17 on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox were winners as -146 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went way OVER the day's posted total (11).
David Ortiz homered twice in the first inning for Boston on Tuesday, and Kevin Youkilis drove in five runs in the victory.
Ian Kinsler powered the Rangers' attack with a home run and four RBI.
MLB Prediction …Betting the Red Sox (-250 ML) with Lester on the mound is the way to go in this one.
