Red Sox vs. Rangers Prediction, Odds & Props for Sept. 17: Boston Avoids Sweep

Written By Jason Green | Published at September 17, 2026

Red Sox vs. Rangers prediction for AL series finale. The Rangers look for sweep after winning the first two games. — Aug 26, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

In the Lone Star State on Thursday night, the Texas Rangers look to sweep the series at home against the Boston Red Sox. You can get all the key game info, starting pitching matchup, latest odds, and value player props in this Red Sox vs. Rangers prediction.

The Red Sox (82-70) had won two in a row before losing the first two games of this AL series. While out of the AL East race, they have a firm grasp on the second AL Wild Card spot, five games clear of the Chicago White Sox.

The Rangers (76-76) enter this series finale on a four-game winning streak and, with the win in their last game, reached the .500 mark. They are tied with the Houston Astros atop the AL West and are one game behind the White Sox for the third AL Wild Card.

The Red Sox are the road favorites in Game 3 of this series at DraftKings Sportsbook at -142 with the Rangers at +118 and a total of 8 runs.

Not Much at the Dish So Far for the Red Sox

The Red Sox have lost the two games of this series, totaling only five runs. They lost the second game yesterday 7-3; Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run, and Boston scored the other run on a balk.

This season, the Sox have been led by their pitching, ranking third in team ERA and 19th in runs scored.

Contreras (.275, 27 home runs, 81 RBIs) leads the team in home runs and RBIs, and this is his third game back after missing a couple of weeks with injury.

Ceddanne Rafaela (.282, 17 home runs, 70 RBIs) leads the club in at-bats and batting average and is out on the 10-day IL.

Boston is averaging only three runs over its last seven games, in which it has lost five.

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Boston Starter for Series Finale

Ace Sonny Gray (17-5, 2.76 ERA, 1.17) goes for the Sox, who have lost two of his last three starts, in which he gave up five runs in 12 innings, and the lineup gave him two runs of support. He is tied for the lead in the Majors in wins, and in his lone start against the Rangers this season, he gave up one run in six innings in a win. Over the season, he has struck out 140 and walked 42 in 156 2/3 innings.

Lot of Guys Chip in For Rangers Win

In the 7-3 win in the second game of this series, Ezequiel Duran had two RBI, and five other Texas players had one RBI.

The Rangers are at .500 even though they only rank 22nd in the Majors in team ERA and 25th in runs.

Joc Pederson (.235, 26 home runs, 53 RBIs) is tied for the team lead in home runs and is out for this game on the 10-day IL.

Jake Burger (.234, 26 home runs, 84 RBIs) leads the club in RBIs and is slumping, batting only .167 this month and only has one hit in the last five games. Duran (.270, 17 home runs, 82 RBIs) ranks second on the team in RBIs and has four over the last four games.

The Rangers have won three of five games facing the Red Sox this season.

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Texas Starter for Series Finale

Tyler Alexander (5-2, 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) makes a spot start for the Rangers, mainly pitching in the bullpen this season, and has not lasted more than two innings in any appearance. His lone appearance against the Red Sox this season was in the opener of this series, where he pitched one scoreless inning. This season, Alexander has totaled 66 2/3 innings, striking out 57 and walking 19.

Red Sox vs. Rangers Prediction

Red Sox ML (-142, DraftKings)

Taking Boston in the finale mainly because of the pitching matchup. Gray has been solid this season, ranking tied for first in wins and eighth in ERA. He gave up only one run in his lone start against Texas this season and will pitch well again tonight. Alexander is making a spot start and will not last long, handing the ball to the Rangers’ bullpen, which only ranks 21st in bullpen ERA (4.45). Boston’s slumping lineup will not have a great game at the dish, but it will give Gray enough runs to get the win and avoid the series sweep.

Player Prop Bets

Check out some good value player prop bets from DraftKings:

Sonny Gray to record a win: (+125, DraftKings): Pretty good odds for Gray to record a win, and he is tied for the most wins in the Majors and has recorded a win in four of his last seven starts.
Sonny Gray to record over 17.5 outs: (-166, DraftKings) – Good bet for Gray to record over 17.5 outs, which he has done in seven of his last eight starts.
Ezequiel Duran 2+ bases: (+175, DraftKings) – Duran has at least two bases in both games of this series.