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The Texas Rangers (75-58) welcome the Minnesota Twins (69-65) to Globe Life Field Friday for the opener of a 3-game series. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Twins vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Twins lead 3-1
The Twins hold a 5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. They are 29-36 on the road this season and 4-3 over their last 7 games. Minnesota lost to the Guardians 5-2 in 10 innings Wednesday.
The Rangers had a lead in the AL West until an 8-game losing skid in August. They are 3-2 over their last 5 games and 42-24 at home this season. Texas is now 1 game behind the Seattle Marines and Houston Astros in the division. Texas last lost to the New York Mets 6-5 in 10 innings Wednesday.
Twins at Rangers projected starters
RHP Joe Ryan vs. RHP Max Scherzer
Ryan (9-8, 4.33 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 through 131 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K in a 6-2 home loss vs. Rangers Saturday
- 2023 roada stats: 3-4, 5.01 ERA in 59 1/3 IP over 11 starts
Scherzer (12-5, 3.71 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 through 138 1/3 IP for the Rangers and New York Mets.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K opposite Ryan in 6-2 road win Saturday
- 2023 home stats: 5-1, 2.48 ERA in 58 IP across 10 starts
Twins 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 8:33 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Twins +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rangers -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Twins +1.5 (-160) | Rangers -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Twins at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Twins 3
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rangers have the 4th-best home record in the MLB at 42-24, so I would pass on backing the Twins on the moneyline. However, given their recent struggles, I think the Rangers (-155) are just a tad too expensive.
I would rather take Texas on the run line Friday.
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN RANGERS -1.5 (+135).
The Rangers are one of two teams in the MLB that have been a home favorite in multiple games and have over a .500 cover rate on the run line. Scherzer has been dominant this season as well.
The Twins have also struggled as of late, losing 2 straight games to the Guardians and failing to cover in either. They have also lost by 2 or more runs in Ryan’s last 2 starts.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 8 (-115).
These two teams played a 4-game series last Thursday-Sunday. They cashed the Over in 3 of those 4 games and pushed in the other game. Minnesota scored 7 or more runs in 3 of the 4 games.
Minnesota is 6-2-1 O/U over its last 9 games. Texas is 5-2-1 O/U over its last 8 games.
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