The Atlanta Braves (25-15) start a 3-game series against the Texas Rangers (25-15) on Monday at Globe Life Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting. The Rangers produced a 2-1 record against the Braves in 2022.
The Braves suffered a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, handing them a 4th straight defeat. Atlanta is still 5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for 1st place in the NL East despite its recent struggles.
The Rangers cruised to an 11-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Texas has tallied a 7-3 record in its last 10 contests and is expected to call up LHP Cody Bradford to make his major league debut on Monday.
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Braves at Rangers projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. LHP Cody Bradford
Morton (4-3, 3.32 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 40 2/3 IP.
- Has walked 2-plus batters in each of his first 7 starts and has recorded 5-plus K’s in 6 straight starts
- His current 8.6 K/9 is his lowest since 2015
Bradford is expected to make his major league debut. He had a 5-1 record with a 0.86 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 through 39 2/3 IP in 7 starts for AAA-Round Rock this season.
- Owns a career 4.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in his 3 seasons in the minors.
- Hasn’t allowed more than 2 ER in any of his starts and he’s tallied 5-plus K’s in 5 of his 7 turns in the PCL
Braves 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 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Rangers +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+120) | Rangers +1.5 (-145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Braves at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Rangers 5
Moneyline
With the Rangers having Bradford making his major league debut, I’ll back the BRAVES (-140) on the road with Morton on the mound.
Run line/Against the spread
RANGERS +1.5 (-145) is how I’d wager on the run line with Texas capable of keeping this game within a run. The Rangers have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, and even with a rookie pitcher on the bump, it should be a close contest on Monday.
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Over/Under
OVER 9 (-120) is a solid value with the Braves excelling against left-handed pitching and the Rangers having success against right-handed pitching. The Braves own the 2nd-best wRC+ (152) against southpaws and the Rangers are tied for the 3rd-best wRC+ (114) against right-handed hurlers this season.
The Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings overall.
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