The Los Angeles Angels (59-60) and the Texas Rangers (70-48) open a 3-game series at Globe Life Field on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Angels lead 4-3 — including a 3-1 mark at Globe Life Field
The Angels dropped 2 of 3 games against the Houston Astros over the weekend while being outscored 23-8 in the first part of the Texas two-step. The Halos are in a nosedive since MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline on Aug. 1, going just 3-9 in 12 games since.
The Rangers enter play with a 2 1/2-game lead in the AL West over the Astros, and Texas leads the AL with a +181 run differential. It is 2nd in the majors only to the Atlanta Braves (+193).
Texas has won 4 straight series since getting swept in a 3-game interleague series in San Diego July 28-30. The Rangers are 10-2 across the past 12 games overall while the Under has cashed in 12 of their last 15 games.
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Angels at Rangers projected starters
LHP Patrick Sandoval vs. RHP Max Scherzer
Sandoval (6-8, 3.86 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 109 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 8-3 home loss vs. the San Francisco Giants last Monday
- 2023 road splits: 4-4, 3.23 ERA (55 2/3 IP, 20 ER – 3 HR), .224 opponent batting average (OBA) in 11 starts
- Career vs. Texas: 1-2, 3.07 ERA (29 1/3 IP, 10 ER), .211 OBA in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
- First start vs. Texas in 2023
Scherzer (11-4, 3.88 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 in 120 2/3 innings for the Rangers and New York Mets.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K in a 6-1 road win vs. the Oakland Athletics Tuesday
- 2023 home splits: 4-0, 2.47 ERA (47 1/3 IP, 13 ER – 4 HR), .215 OBA in 8 starts
- Since being acquired from Mets: 2-0, 13 IP, 4 ER, 10 H, 4 BB, 15 K in 2 starts
Angels at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Rangers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-130) | Rangers -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Angels at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Angels 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rangers (-185) are a little pricey as they come in just over my personal moneyline limit of -180 for a singular bet.
Texas is normally a strong play with Scherzer on the bump, but this has been bet up. He has been a great plug-in for the Rangers rotation, immediately giving them a huge boost at the trade deadline.
The Angels (+150) have been skidding hard, busting out after going all-in to make RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani happy with the team’s direction. The Halos are in a nosedive, and you need to keep fading them.
Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+105) are worth playing at plus money on the run line.
There is a little risk here, as the southpaw Sandoval actually has much better road splits for the Angels than his production at home. Still, Texas has Scherzer and a red-hot offense.
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Over/Under
UNDER 9 (-115) might be the best play on the board in this series opener.
The Under has cashed in each of Scherzer’s starts since landing in Arlington, and the total has gone low in 12 of the past 15 games overall for Texas.
The Under is 9-6-1 in the past 16 games overall for the Angels and is 6-3 in their last 9 games on the road. The Under is also 3-1-1 in Sandoval’s past 5 road assignments.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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