Texas Rangers (78-60) @ Boston Red Sox (83-53)
The Boston Red Sox saw their lead atop the American League East division dwindle to just half a game heading into a critical weekend set versus the Texas Rangers, who are themselves in a battle for top spot in the AL West.
Dropping to two of three to archrival New York, Boston sends Andrew Miller (6-1, 4.42 ERA) to the hill to face the Rangers Derek Holland (12-5, 4.30 ERA). Texas now holds a 3.5 game lead over the LA Angeles. Most sportsbooks have the game listed as Boston -118 to -122 as the favorite. The Total goes off at 10.
This game also has playoffs implications in that these two teams could meet in the first round. If New York wins the AL East, and Boston is the Wild Card team, the Red Sox would then most likely travel to face the AL West division winner. Right now, that’s the Rangers. Boston has struggled lately in the Big D, losing 10 of its last 12 there. One player looking forward to this series is the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre, who last year played for Boston. He just came off the DL and got a hit in last night’s 7-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Arizona Diamondback (78-59) @ San Francisco Giants (72-65)
The Diamondback hold a sizeable six game lead over the defending World Series champion Giants atop the National League West division. As defending division champs, San Francisco needs to win at least two of the three game set, preferably sweeping, or else they will be looking for a Wild Card spot come October.
Handicappers will be wise to look at the D’Backs play as of late, as they have won nine in a row going into the game at AT&T Park. Can you smell a make it or break it series for the Giants. Odds for tonight’s game have the Giants as -155 favorites, with the Total a miniscule 6.
Joe Saunders (9-11, 3.82 ERA) takes to the hill for Arizona, while Matt Cain (10-9, 2.87 ERA) will be the starter for San Fran.
