MLB Betting Free Picks – Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox

Nothing says that spring is in the air, and summer is rolling warmly around the corner, than the sound of whining Boston Red Sox fans. Sure, they’re off to their worst start in 14 baseball betting seasons, buy can somebody please remind them that it’s freaking April? A slow start notwithstanding, getting trounced by the Tampa Bay Rays is no laughing matter. If they manage to get handled by the Texas Rangers, that’ll cause a windstorm of malcontent in Red Sox nation.

The Red Sox have usually been a great team at home, but are 1-6 SU at home this year after opening the season with a thrashing of the Yankees. Tim Wakefield is 0-1 SU with a 5.11 ERA this season, and is coming off a rough game against the Twins where he gave up 6 runs on 10 hits in just over five innings. The 43-year old is as cagey as they come, but reliability is slipping from his repertoire.

Of course, the problem in Boston isn’t really their pitching. Defense and hitting have been atrocious. Their defense allows 5.3 runs per game, and the overall scoring for the Red Sox is pitiful compared to years past. With just 3.9 runs per game, they’re ranked tenth overall. Where’s the fury? Where’s Big Papi? What the hell happened to Victor Martinez?

Texas Rangers (5-7) vs. Boston Red Sox (4-9)
Tuesday, April 20th — Fenway Park — 7:10pm EST

MLB Betting Line:

Colby Lewis – R +1.5 -160 +115 O 9.5 EV
Tim Wakefield – L -1.5 +140 -135 U 9.5 -120

Fortunately for the Red Sox, they’ll face a team that is struggling just as much as they are. The Rangers were recently swept by the Yankees and are now in midst of a four-game losing skid after dropping their closing game against the Indians. Problems, at least for me, start with the fact that slugger Josh Hamilton is as cold February in Alaska right now. He has gone just 1-for-15 in the past four games.

Colby Lewis, a righty who has spent his last couple years overseas in Japan, has been relentless in his return to the majors. At 2-0 SU with a 2.19 ERA he is putting on a dazzling display which makes you wonder why he had to leave in the first place. Lewis is the type of fearless pitcher that can wreak havoc for a Boston team that has lost its swing collectively.

Where To Watch: FSH, NESN

We don’t have nearly as much data on Lewis as we do on Wakefield in the past few years but what we know about the left-handed knuckleball specialist is that he struggles against the Rangers. I guess, right now at least, the Red Sox struggle against everyone. Adding to the relentless, and unyielding, groaning of their fan base will be a brutal loss to the Rangers to open this series. Get your ear plugs now.

(Seriously guys, it’s APRIL! Calm down. Go cheer for your Celtics or send Wes Welker some damn chocolates or something.)

MLB Furious Free Pick: Texas RL and ML (UNDER)

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