Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions August 14th 2024

Red Sox shoot for rare sweep in finale vs. Rangers

The Boston Red Sox are on the brink of securing their first series sweep in over a month as they prepare to face the Texas Rangers in the final game of a three-game set on Wednesday. After a commanding 9-4 victory on Tuesday, the Red Sox are poised to complete a sweep, a feat they last achieved from July 2-4 against the Miami Marlins. These back-to-back wins have come as a welcome rebound after a rough stretch that saw Boston lose four straight games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros.

Crawford’s Masterful Start Propels Red Sox

Kutter Crawford was the star of Tuesday’s game, delivering a stellar performance by pitching 5 1/3 perfect innings. His dominance on the mound set the tone for Boston, although a four-run sixth inning by Texas forced manager Alex Cora to make strategic bullpen moves. Despite the temporary setback, Cora’s aggressive management paid off, showcasing the team’s all-hands-on-deck approach as they fight to stay in playoff contention.

“We’re going to use everybody and we’re going to try to get 27 outs however we can to win games,” Cora said. “We’re in the middle of a playoff chase, or whatever you want to call it. If I feel like that’s the moment of the game, that’s the moment of the game.”

Rob Refsnyder: The Unsung Hero

Rob Refsnyder has emerged as a crucial contributor for the Red Sox during this series. The outfielder, who has reached base in 43 of his 49 starts this season, delivered a two-RBI performance on Tuesday and played hero in Monday’s opener with a walk-off single in the 10th inning. Refsnyder’s consistency and leadership have been vital, especially for a young Red Sox lineup that includes promising talents like Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran.

“We’ve been playing our best baseball when our young guys have been pretty electric on the basepaths, playing uber-aggressive,” Refsnyder commented. “I think that’s our identity this year.”

Suspension and Redemption: Duran’s Return

Jarren Duran, who has been an integral part of the Red Sox’s aggressive playstyle, missed the past two games due to a team-issued suspension for using a homophobic slur towards a fan. His absence was felt, but he is set to return for the series finale, adding another layer of excitement to Boston’s pursuit of the sweep.

Tanner Houck Takes the Mound

Tanner Houck (8-8, 3.02 ERA) will start for the Red Sox in the finale, looking to snap a four-game winless streak. Houck delivered a strong six-inning performance against the Houston Astros last Friday, allowing just one run on four hits. Unfortunately, Boston’s bullpen faltered, leading to an 8-4 loss. Houck’s last encounter with the Rangers on August 3 was less successful, as he gave up six runs on eight hits over five-plus innings in a 7-4 loss. With a 0-1 record and a 6.75 ERA in three career appearances against Texas, Houck will be looking to turn things around.

Reflecting on his recent outing, Houck said, “It was a great game to look back and learn from, and continue to grow.”

Rangers Struggle to Regain Form

The Texas Rangers, a team that tasted World Series glory just last year, now find themselves in unfamiliar territory, 10 games below .500 for the first time since the end of the 2022 season. Tuesday’s game encapsulated their struggles as they went hitless for five innings against Crawford and managed to score all four of their runs in a single inning.

Rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford acknowledged the team’s offensive woes, saying, “Yeah, I mean, I guess you could call it pressing. It’s just tough. We can’t seem to get it figured out on the offensive side.”

Lineup Shuffles and Offensive Woes

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy made lineup adjustments in hopes of sparking the offense, reverting to a familiar batting order with Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Smith, and Adolis Garcia at the top. However, the move yielded little success as the quartet combined for just two hits in 14 at-bats, though both hits drove in runs.

“It brought back good memories, seeing those guys in their normal place in the batting order,” Bochy said before the game. “The hope is they see that, and it does the same for them.”

Pitching Uncertainty Looms for Texas

As of late Tuesday, the Rangers had yet to announce their starting pitcher for the series finale, adding another element of uncertainty to their uphill battle against a Red Sox team riding high on momentum.

Conclusion: High Stakes in the Finale

As the Red Sox prepare for the series finale, the stakes are clear. A win would not only secure a rare sweep but also reinforce their playoff aspirations. For the Rangers, it’s a chance to salvage some pride and halt their downward spiral. With Tanner Houck on the mound and Jarren Duran back in the lineup, Boston will look to close out the series on a high note, while Texas will aim to find some consistency and break out of their offensive slump.

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