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Props for NFL Week Three

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Bye weeks are on the horizon, but with all 32 teams in action this week, another full smorgasbord of prop picks shuffles in along with NFL Week 3. Newer bettors can be overwhelmed by the almost limitless offerings. Viewing your props as merely a derivative of how you expect the game to unfold is critical.

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With that strategy in mind, here are our top five player props for Week 3.

Ryan Tannehill over 197.5 passing yards (-118 at FanDuel) Per DVOA metrics, the Browns rank second defensively. However, a big part of their ranking involves the three points allowed the Bengals on a wet day in Cleveland.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had all sorts of problems during the game, and it’s not a stretch to say that he’s nowhere near fully healthy this season due to a lingering calf injury.

In Week 2, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett threw for 222 yards.

FanDuel has a projection under 200 passing yards for Tannehill, and that number is short.

It’s worth noting that according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Tannehill ranks seventh in intended air yards per attempt (8.6 per game), whereas Burrow and Pickett rank 23rd and 24th.

Tyler Allgeier over 40.5 rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM) – The Atlanta Falcons are flying high and off to a 2-0 start. A big part of their success has been the running game behind the duo of Allgeier and Bijan Robinson.

Robinson will get the bulk of the headlines as a first-round rookie, but Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith seems committed to getting Allgeier touches, especially near the goal line.

Interestingly, Allgeier (31) has two more carries than Robinson (29) through two games.

And although Atlanta is tied for first (51%) with Dallas in average run rate, their average margin of victory (+7.5) is 22.5 points less than the Cowboys.

Allgeier posted at least 48 rushing yards in his two games against the Panthers (ninth) and Packers (14th), two teams ranked higher in run defense EPA than the Lions.

Look for the Falcons to continue to share the workload with Allgeier rushing for over 40.5 yards.

Jordan Love over 1.5 passing touchdowns (+135 at BetMGM)
Green Bay missed a golden opportunity to stay perfect on the season after blowing a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Falcons.

The 1-1 Packers host New Orleans to take on a Saints team off to a 2-0 start.

New Orleans (+2.0) has the lowest margin of victory of any of the remaining undefeated teams. And according to TeamRankings, the Saints sit third in their luck factor metrics.

We’ve noticed with Green Bay the offense might not always look fluid, but it has been potent inside the red zone — tied for first with an 83.3 percent touchdown conversion rate.

Love ranks fourth (75.2) in the league in Total QBR with six touchdowns on the season and has yet to throw an interception.

Raheem Mostert under 13.5 receiving yards (-110 at BetMGM) – I don’t want to rely on too many overs, which ushers in this play on Mostert receiving yards.

The Dolphins running back had a heavier workload in Week 2, with 18 rushing attempts compared to 10 in the season opener.

Mostert gets the bulk of carries, but Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will continue to use Mostert sparingly in their passing game.

In Week 1, the Dolphins had 466 receiving yards against a Chargers team that ranks 29th in EPA against the pass, and Mostert still finished with two catches for 13 yards.

Miami already has five players with at least 65 receiving yards, and McDaniel said he’s ready to roll out rookie running back De’Von Achane in a more consistent role starting Sunday.

JuJu Smith-Schuster under 35.5 receiving yards (-115 at PointsBet) – Smith-Schuster signed a three-year deal worth $33 million and signs pointed to the former Steelers and Chiefs receiver playing a major role.

Through two games, he’s averaging just 30.5 receiving yards and has yet to score a touchdown.

A closer look at his NFL Next Gen Stats reveals that Smith-Schuster (-2.1) ranks 97th among 99 players in yards after catch above expectation (YAC +/-) with at least eight targets.

Enter the New York Jets, a team with a strong secondary.

New York ranks 13th in defensive DVOA, and Smith-Schuster will likely line up against Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Per Pro Football Focus, Gardner is tied for 10th in pass coverage with a 79.2 rating.

Despite being tied for second on the team in targets (13), Smith-Schuster is only fifth in total reception yards (61).

Given the matchup with Gardner and this being a divisional game, I like the Patriots wide receiver to stay under 35.5 receiving yards.

Thieves Crack Soldier Field

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CHICAGO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Thieves made off with more than $100,000 worth of equipment from the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field earlier this week, ABC 7 Chicago reported Friday.

According to stadium staff, thieves tore down a security fence sometime overnight on Wednesday in order to drive lawn mowers and utility vehicles out of a parking structure.

It’s a distraction the 0-2 Bears definitely don’t need in a week that saw defensive coordinator Alan Williams resign for personal reasons and quarterback Justin Fields suggest that overcoaching has contributed to his poor results.

Things don’t get any easier this weekend as Chicago visits the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sale, Sox Won’t “Cash It In”

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Teams trending in all the wrong directions will meet tonight when the visiting Chicago White Sox open a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox (75-78) have lost six of their last seven games and 12 of their last 15. They’re in last place in the American League East and three games below .500 for the first time since the second week of the season.

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The White Sox (58-95) have lost nine of their last 12 games and are 37 games below the .500 mark for the first time since 2018.

Both teams are coming off lopsided losses Wednesday. Boston allowed a season-high run total in a 15-5 setback against Texas, while Washington beat Chicago 13-3.

Boston’s Brayan Bello allowed eight runs in three innings during Wednesday’s loss. It was the most runs a Red Sox starting pitcher has given up in a game this season.

“Not a good one,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “They put some good swings on pitches in the zone, the command was off, and it’s one of those that we have to turn the page and be ready for the next one.

“That’s a team that, similar to Toronto, Houston, the Dodgers, it’s a fast-break offense, and when they get going it’s hard to stop. And we weren’t able to do that (Wednesday).”

Boston committed its 100th error of the season Wednesday when Rafael Devers made a fielding miscue in the fifth inning. Red Sox second baseman Luis Urias left the game with calf tightness after beating out an infield single in the seventh inning.

The White Sox surrendered 14 hits in Wednesday’s loss, which dropped the team’s road record to 28-50. The Nationals scored in six of the eight innings they came to the plate.

“We didn’t pitch very well, and we didn’t hit,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “Nine free passes (seven walks and two hit batters), a couple errors. There’s not much to really talk about in this game.”

Left-hander Chris Sale (6-4, 4.66 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for Boston on Friday against his former club. Righthander Touki Toussaint (4-7, 5.40) is Chicago’s probable starter.

Toussaint is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. His only start against Boston came in 2018 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves.

Toussaint struck out eight in five innings during Saturday’s 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Sale spent six seasons with the White Sox before he was traded to the Red Sox in 2016 for Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz. He’s 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in four career starts against his former team. He recorded 39 strikeouts in 25 innings during those four starts.

Sale had a no-decision in his last start, that ended in the Red Sox’s 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. He allowed a run on two hits and walked two in six-plus innings, with 10 strikeouts. Sale has given up two runs or fewer in seven of his last 11 starts.

“Obviously, we’re in a tough situation,” Sale said. “At least we can go out there and play for pride, and I’m not going to give up. We’re not going to cash it in.”

–Field Level Media

49ers Control Shorthanded Giants, 30-12

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SANTA CLARA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – SF’s Brock Purdy passed for a regular-season career-high 310 yards and two touchdowns to help the San Francisco 49ers post a 30-12 victory over the New York Giants on Thursday night.

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Niners’ RB Christian McCaffrey rushed for a touchdown and totaled 119 yards (85 rushing, 34 receiving) for the 49ers (3-0), who won their 13th consecutive regular-season game. Deebo Samuel had six receptions for 129 yards and one score, George Kittle caught seven passes for 90 yards and Ronnie Bell hauled in his first career touchdown catch for San Francisco.

Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa recorded his first sack since signing a five-year, $170 million extension with the 49ers. The contract is the richest for a defender in NFL history.

Former 49ers running back Matt Breida rushed for a touchdown for the Giants (1-2), who played without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle). The running game struggled without Barkley, with New York totaling 29 yards on 11 attempts.

Daniel Jones was 22-of-32 passing for 137 yards and one interception for the Giants.

San Francisco controlled the ball for 39:10 and had a 78-46 edge in plays. Purdy completed 25 of 37 passes as the 49ers outgained the Giants 441-150.

New York moved within 17-12 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter on Breida’s 8-yard scoring run. Jones was sacked on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

San Francisco tacked on a 21-yard field goal by Jake Moody to hold an eight-point lead with 4:08 remaining in the period. Moody added a 36-yarder to increase the margin to 23-12 with 12:47 left in the game.

The 49ers put the game away on Purdy’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Samuel with 5:58 remaining in the contest.

San Francisco scored two second-quarter touchdowns while taking a 17-6 lead into halftime.

Purdy connected with Bell on a 9-yard scoring pass to give San Francisco a 10-3 lead with 7:49 left in the second quarter. Just over six minutes later, McCaffrey scored on a 4-yard run to boost the lead to 14.

New York’s Graham Gano kicked a 57-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

San Francisco opened the game with a 15-play, 64-yard drive before settling for Moody’s 28-yard field goal. The Giants answered with a 44-yard field goal from Gano.

–Field Level Media

Bruins Name Marchand Team Captain

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Boston Bruins named Brad Marchand the 27th captain of the hockey club.  

Marchand joins the ranks of past Bruins captains, including seven Hall of Famers and seven former Bruins whose numbers have been retired.

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Past Bruins team captains include Patrice Bergeron (2021-23), Zdeno Chara (2006-20), Joe Thornton (2002-05), Jason Allison (2000-01), Ray Bourque (1985-2000), Rick Middleton (1985-88), Terry O’Reilly (1983-85), Wayne Cashman (1977-83), Johnny Bucyk (1966-67 and 1973-77), Leo Boivin (1963-66), Don McKenney (1961-63), Ferny Flaman (1955-61), Ed Sandford (1954-55), Milt Schmidt (1947-54), Bobby Bauer (1946-47), John Crawford (1945-46), Bill Cowley (1944-45), Ralph ‘Cooney’ Weiland (1937-39), Red Beattie (1936-37), Eddie Shore (1935-36), Nels Stewart (1934-35), Marty Barry (1933-34), Aubrey ‘Dit’ Clapper (1932-33 and 1939-44), George Owen (1931-32), Lionel Hitchman (1928-31) and Sprague Cleghorn (1925-28).

“I am extremely proud of Brad and the hockey player he has become,” said Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs. “Brad has been a Bruin for over 15 years and had the opportunity to learn from great leaders in Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. He is ready for this opportunity and our whole team will learn from his competitive nature and tenacity. I am confident he will represent our organization with heart and grit.”  

Entering his 15th NHL season, all with the Bruins, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native ranks eighth in franchise history in games played (947), fourth in game-winning goals (71), sixth in goals (372), ninth in assists (490) and seventh in points (862). The 5-foot-9, 176-pound winger also ranks fifth in playoff games played (146), second in playoff goals (53), fourth in playoff assists (75) and second in playoff points (128). 

“When Patrice [Bergeron] let us know that he’s retiring, shortly thereafter Don [Sweeney], Monty [Jim Montgomery] and I had a number of discussions about who we thought should be the next captain and why,” said Cam Neely, the head of hockey operations for the club.  “Since my time in the organization, I’ve had Ray Bourque as captain, Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. So, the things that those guys have in common were, not only were they great players – but they worked hard every day at practice and pushed their teammates to work hard. And Brad [Marchand] does that. He’s learned that, and he’s had some good mentors, for sure. And he’s come a long way in his career, both on the ice off the ice, maturity wise. So we felt he’d be a really good next captain for this organization.”

Among active NHL players, Marchand ranks first in plus-minus (plus-290), seventh in game-winning goals, 10th in goals, 18th in assists and 12th in points. Marchand also ranks 11th among active players in playoff games played and sixth in playoff goals, playoff assists and playoff points. 

Marchand is the club’s ambassador for Hockey is for Everyone, a league-wide initiative to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities through the game of hockey.  

Throughout his time with the Bruins, Marchand has participated in several community initiatives including Cuts for a Cause, Halloween hospital visits, annual Holiday toy shopping and delivery, and Pucks and Paddles. 

Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 against the Vancouver Canucks. He played in 25 playoff games in 2011, recording 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points. 

In 2007 and 2008, Marchand won gold with Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships. He represented Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and World Cup of Hockey, winning gold in both tournaments. 

Marchand was originally selected by the Bruins in the third round (71st overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. 

Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak will be alternate team captains.

Texas Rangers Crush Slumping Sox, 15-4

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ARLINGTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Texas Rangers responded to an early four-run deficit with 15 unanswered runs on Wednesday, crushing the visiting Boston Red Sox 15-5.

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Boston (75-78) received a three-run homer from Adam Duvall and a solo shot from Bobby Dalbec to take a 4-0 lead into the home half of the second inning. That’s when the Rangers’ offense came to life, however.

Jonah Heim headlined the six-run frame with a three-run blast of his own, with Mitch Garver clubbing a solo home run and Marcus Semien ripping a two-run single. Texas (84-68) scored at least two runs in each of the next four frames to turn a modest two-run edge into a 15-4 advantage.

Josh Jung and Evan Carter also went deep during the rout as the Rangers remained tied with the Seattle Mariners (84-68) a half-game behind the Houston Astros (85-68) in the American League West. Houston beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday afternoon.

Jung and Carter each finished with three hits, while Semien and Leody Taveras added two apiece.

Despite the offensive showcase, Texas starter Jon Gray couldn’t pick up a win after logging just 2 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Martin Perez (10-4) took over for Gray and kept his former team at bay, limiting the Red Sox to just three hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Boston starter Brayan Bello (12-10) was tagged for eight runs on eight hits in three innings to take the loss.

In losing for the 12th time in their last 15 games, the Red Sox left six men on base and grounded into two double plays. Duvall and Dalbec both finished with a pair of hits.

After the Rangers’ ferocious second, Taveras had an RBI single and Semien walked with the bases loaded in the third to make it 8-4. Adolis Garcia chipped in with a run-scoring double as part of a two-run fourth, and Jung contributed a two-run shot in a three-run fifth.

The onslaught ended in the sixth with Carter’s two-run homer.

Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela had an RBI single in the ninth to cap the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Nine First-Timers for Canton

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CANTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Nine first-time eligible players, including former All-Pros Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers, are among the 173 modern-era nominees announced Tuesday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Other first-time nominees for the Class of 2024 are wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, running back Jamaal Charles, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.

Gates, a tight end, and Peppers, a defensive end, were considered among the best at their positions earlier in the 2000s. Both three-time All-Pro selections, Peppers and Gates were named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team. Peppers also got the nod on the All-2010s team.

The list of modern-era nominees is made up of 94 offensive players, 62 defensive players and 17 special teams players. The 173 nominees will be pared to 25 semifinalists in November and eventually further whittled before the 50-member Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee votes on the Class of 2024 before Super Bowl LVIII.

The committee also will consider seniors finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Buddy Parker from the coach/contributor category. Parker coached three NFL teams from 1949-63.

Finalists from the 2023 class nominated again for 2024 are Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must be named on 80 percent of ballots.

–Field Level Media

Division Lead on the Line for Rangers

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ARLINGTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Texas Rangers will attempt to make it back-to-back victories over the Boston Red Sox when the teams wrap up a three-game series this afternoon.

After Boston opened the series with a 4-2 victory on Monday, Texas ended a four-game losing streak by winning 6-4 on Tuesday. The win moved the Rangers (83-68) within one-half game of the first-place Houston Astros (84-68) in the American League West. The Seattle Mariners are also 83-68.

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“Great win,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “Great team win, character win … all those things. A lot of good things the guys did, pitchers, position players, big hits. … Much-needed win as we all know.”

Rookie Josh Jung broke a 4-4 tie when his seventh-inning single drove in Marcus Semien. It was Jung’s second game since returning from a six-week stint on the injured list caused by a fractured left thumb.

“So glad to be back,” Jung said. “I don’t like sitting there not being able to contribute in any way I can. …

“We’re in the dog days. It’s going to be a fight every night.”

The Red Sox (75-77) lost for the fifth time in six games as their pitchers walked eight batters on Tuesday.

“At this level (you) can’t do that,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Those guys are gonna keep coming and coming. (Corey) Seager, Semien, all those guys. The line keeps moving, they’re going to get more at-bats and that’s what happens.

“You keep pushing. We still have a chance (at the postseason), a very slight chance. You do everything possible to win the game. The organization deserves that, the players do, too, and obviously the fan base. We’re going to do our best to win ballgames. As many as possible.”

Right-hander Brayan Bello (12-9, 3.71 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for Boston on Wednesday. Bello recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts in his latest start, a 3-0 loss at Toronto on Friday night. He pitched six innings and limited the Blue Jays to four hits, but one of those hits was a three-run home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Bello has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past six starts, and has a 4-2 record during that span.

“Throughout the season he’s been our most consistent starter,” Cora said. “Not too many people are talking about him throughout the league, but when you look up the innings and the (wins) and the ERA and all that stuff, it has been a solid season for him. He’s gonna keep getting better.”

Bello is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against Texas. He limited the Rangers to two runs on eight hits in seven innings during a 4-2 home win on July 5.

Right-hander Jon Gray (8-8, 4.05 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Texas. Gray was the losing pitcher on Friday as Texas fell 12-3 to the Cleveland Guardians. He gave up three runs on seven hits and walked two in 3 2/3 innings.

Gray has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his past five starts and in seven of his past nine. He has a 5.72 ERA during that stretch.

In two career starts against Boston, Gray has a 1-1 record with a 3.38 ERA. He lost to Bello on July 5 after yielding four runs, three earned, on nine hits in six innings.

–Field Level Media

Boston Lands Women’s Soccer Club

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced that Boston has been awarded expansion rights for the league’s 15th team to Boston Unity Soccer Partners (BUSC), an all-female core ownership group led by a diverse and dynamic leadership team with deep local ties. The new club is set to kick off in the 2026 season, bringing world-class women’s soccer back to the country’s No. 9 media market to play in a region with a championship legacy for a fan base that has earned a reputation as one of the most passionate in all of sports.

The announcement follows the addition of two other NWSL expansion teams earlier this year, Utah Royals FC and Bay Area FC, which are both slated to begin play in 2024. Now in its 11th season, the NWSL is the fastest-growing professional sports league in the U.S. and in 2023, shattered its previous attendance record.

“We are very proud to welcome Boston Unity Soccer Partners to our ownership group,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. They bring an impressive roster of business leaders committed to continuing Boston’s legacy of sports excellence and delivering a successful team to a very passionate fanbase. We are thrilled for their entry to the league in the 2026 season and add a new chapter to the storied history of Boston sports.”

Boston Unity Soccer Partners consists of a diverse and dynamic all-female core ownership group with a wide array of experience across the real estate, marketing, hospitality and philanthropy sectors, led by Juno Equity Founder/Boston Celtics Minority Owner Jennifer Epstein, strategic marketer and brand builder Stephanie Connaughton, Women’s Foundation of Boston Co-Founder/CFO Ami Danoff and Flybridge Capital General Partner Anna Palmer. The managing board will include Epstein, who will serve as the controlling partner, and Connaughton, Danoff and Palmer, who will all serve as managing partners.

The ownership group has deep local ties to the region and shares a passion for soccer, generating opportunities for women, and enhancing the community through the power of sport. The club is backed by an investor group that comes from all sectors of the Boston economy, with 95% of the invested capital invested by women and 40% invested by investors of color. The group has deep expertise in sports with several investors who are also part of the Celtics and the Red Sox organizations. Boston Unity Soccer Partners is the first investment for Monarch Collective, the first fund focused exclusively on investment in women’s sports, founded by Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson.

“Boston is the greatest sports city in the world, and we are thrilled to bring the NWSL back to this passionate fan base,” said Epstein. “Our goal is to build a championship-caliber franchise that the city can be proud of, both on the pitch and in the community. We will be relentless and daring in our quest to add another chapter to the city’s unrivaled sports legacy. We thank Commissioner Berman and the NWSL board for believing in us and in Boston and are grateful for the unwavering support of Mayor Michelle Wu and her team, who have been instrumental in bringing professional women’s soccer back to Boston.”

The team intends to host its home matches in a professionalized and modernized George R. White Stadium in historic Franklin Park in the heart of Boston. Boston Unity Soccer Partners plans to invest significant resources to transform the stadium into a top-tier facility and is working closely with the city of Boston and Mayor Wu’s administration on a robust renovation plan that will both enhance the venue in preparation for play in the NWSL and bring significant benefits to the students in Boston and the surrounding communities.

“As the City of Champions, Boston sets the standard for athletic excellence and fans’ devotion to our teams. It’s fitting and absolutely thrilling for Boston to be a home for women’s soccer, hosting a franchise that will partner so closely with our community and especially our schools,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “I look forward to the revitalization of White Stadium and the partnership of this team and league to create new opportunities in Franklin Park and for our student-athletes citywide.”

Boston Unity Soccer Partners plans to unveil the club’s brand as it moves closer to play in 2026. The new NWSL expansion team will strive to add to the region’s 41 total championships. The franchise will join the Celtics (NBA), Red Sox (MLB), Bruins (NHL), Patriots (NFL), Revolution (MLS), and Boston’s PWHL team as the seventh pillar of Boston’s professional sports community.

For more information about Boston Unity Soccer Partners, please visit www.nwslboston.com

Red Sox to Face Rangers’ Eovaldi

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ARLINGTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox will face an old friend as their three-game series against the Texas Rangers continues tonight.

A free agent last winter, Texas right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.96 ERA) is set to take on the Red Sox for the second time this season. He spent the previous 4 1/2 years with Boston, earning three straight Opening Day starts and winning a World Series ring in 2018.

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The 33-year-old’s July 6 return to Boston — in which he allowed four runs on five hits across 5 1/3 innings — was his second-to-last start before a seven-week absence caused by a right forearm strain.

“The moment I went (to Boston), it’s like everything changed, the focus changed,” Eovaldi said. “We knew we had the team and talent (to win). I see a lot of what we’re trying to do (in Texas), and it reminds me of that team.”

Eovaldi pitched 3 1/3 innings of two-run ball on Thursday as the Rangers completed a four-game sweep in Toronto. It was his third start since returning from the injury.

The Rangers (82-68) went on to Cleveland and got outscored 23-6 while getting swept in a three-game set over the weekend. After taking a 4-2, series-opening loss to Boston, Texas and the Seattle Mariners (82-68) are tied for second in the American League West, 1 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros (84-67). The Rangers and Mariners share the third and final AL wild-card spot.

Also a former New York Yankee, Eovaldi is 3-0 with a 4.78 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Red Sox.

While Eovaldi returned earlier this month, the Rangers’ struggling lineup received a boost when third baseman Josh Jung (left thumb fracture) and right fielder Adolis Garcia (right patellar tendon strain) were activated on Monday.

“(Jung) is a big part of what was missing with us,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “I don’t want him to think like (he has to carry the team) because he’s missed a lot of time. We didn’t put him on rehab, so obviously there is some sense of urgency with how many games we have left.”

Jung’s ninth-inning single was one of the team’s five hits on Monday.

Red Sox starters have struggled to provide length in the later stages of the season, but Tanner Houck (5-9, 4.94 ERA) will look to do just that for a second straight start on Tuesday.

After allowing a total of nine runs over his previous two starts, Houck completed six shutout innings in the opener of a Thursday doubleheader against the Yankees. He struck out seven and allowed just four hits and three walk, finishing the final frame after a mound visit from manager Alex Cora with two on and one out.

“I wanted to be out there and have been working day in, day out trying to get better, trying to push myself to be able to get through the sixth inning,” Houck said.

Houck is 2-1 in his past three starts after going 0-8 in his previous 11.

An even more encouraging sign for the Red Sox (75-76) was coming through with runners in scoring position after entering Monday’s game hitting .190 this month in those situations.

Rob Refsnyder’s two-run single in the eighth inning erased a 2-1 deficit, preceding an Adam Duvall sacrifice fly. Luis Urias had a game-tying hit in the fifth.

“It was a good one,” Cora said after his club snapped a four-game losing streak. “We’re gonna keep playing. We’re not going to quit, you know? We have to win as many games as possible the rest of the way, and (Monday) was a good night.”

Boston first baseman Bobby Dalbec contributed his first multi-hit game since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

–Field Level Media