The Texas Rangers (18-12) and Los Angeles Angels (18-14) clash Friday as they open a 3-game AL West showdown in Orange County. First pitch at Angel Stadium is slated for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rangers won last year’s series 10-9
Texas has been streaky of late, with a 4-game win streak and a 4-game losing skid in its rearview mirror since April 24. The Rangers hit 4 HRs on Wednesday and have clubbed 21 round-trippers in their last 11 games.
The Angels defeated St. Louis 11-7 Thursday to complete a 3-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Los Angeles is 6-2 in its last 8 games.
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Rangers at Angels projected starters
RHP Dane Dunning vs. LHP Tyler Anderson
Dunning (2-0, 1.77 ERA) is tabbed for his 1st start of the season. He has a 0.84 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 4.9 K/9 in 20 1/3 IP out of the bullpen.
- Owns a 4.26 ERA over 71 career games (61 starts)
- Unclear as to whether he will pitch in a traditional starting role or behind an opener as a bulk reliever
- He’s logged at least 3 IP in 4 of his 8 appearances
Anderson (1-0, 5.74 ERA) is tabbed for his 6th start. He has a 1.58 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 26 2/3 IP.
- Has a 2.28 ERA across 4 career starts against Texas
- Coughed up 16 ER over 14 IP across 3 starts from April 8-22, but rebounded to allow just 1R in 6 2/3 IP in his last start April 28 at Milwaukee
- Made 108 pitches in that April 28 turn against the Brewers, his most in a game since last June 15
Rangers at Angels odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:43 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Rangers +126 (bet $100 to win $126) | Angels -148 (bet $148 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-164) | Angels -1.5 (+136)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -102 | U: -120)
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Rangers at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 6, Rangers 5
Moneyline
No lean either way (and not enough input on the Texas pitching side). PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
For what its worth, Los Angeles has played about twice as many 1-run games (12) as the average MLB club. Still, no value play to be made here. AVOID.
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Over/Under
There is some all-around fade-the-pitching lean to Friday’s contest in Anaheim. Both bullpens have favorable batting-average-on-balls-in-play figures, and the softer underbellies of those ‘pens could well be exposed here.
The bats are in better form, and the weather forecast calls for a double-digit wind blowing out and Anderson and the Texas bullpen have fly-ball tendencies.
TAKE THE OVER 9.5 (-102).
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