Two of the top teams in the American League open a four-game set Thursday when the Texas Rangers face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park (7:10 pm ET, FOX).
The game marks the end of the annual three-day hiatus for the MLB All-Star Game, one by the National League on Tuesday.
Boston is in third in the highly competitive AL East, five games back of the leading New York Yankees. Texas leads the AL West, 4.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.
MLB Betting Odds are available for Thursday’s opener at online sportsbooks.
This is the second series of the season between the Rangers and Red Sox. Boston won a three-game set 2-1 on April 20 to 22. Texas has won seven of the past 10 meetings, but is just 3-11 SU in the past 14 visits to Fenway Park. The total has gone under in 10 of the past 13 meetings overall, and in five of the past seven clashes in Boston.
After a long win streak, Texas has struggled in recent games, going 1-4 SU in its last five overall, but is still 9-2 SU in its last 11 games on the road.
Boston has also struggled recently, going 2-5 SU in its last seven games overall, but is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home. The total has gone over in four of Boston's last six games overall.
Righthander Tommy Hunter (ERA: 2.34, W/L: 5-0) gets the start for the Rangers. The Red Sox will counter with righthander Tim Wakefield (ERA: 5.12, W/L: 3-7).