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The Cincinnati Reds (14-12) and Texas Rangers (14-13) play Game 2 of their 3-game series Saturday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 1-0
Texas took Friday’s opener 2-1 as 2B Marcus Semien’s solo homer with 1 out in the bottom of the 8th broke a 1-all tie.
The Reds received RHP Graham Ashcraft’s best pitching performance of the season (6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K), but it wasn’t enough. Cincinnati was shut down offensively by the Rangers as its lone run came on a SS Elly De La Cruz steal of home in the 1st inning. That’s the only run the Reds produced in their last 18 innings.
The win moved Texas to 2-2 on its current 9-game homestand. RHP Nathan Eovaldi was brilliant in a no-decision Friday, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and 5 walks over 6 innings with 8 K’s. The Rangers’ 2 runs came off of solo homers from Semien and LF Evan Carter (2nd inning).
Texas is 7-7 are Globe Life Field this season, while Cincinnati is 5-5 on the road.
Reds at Rangers projected starters
RHP Hunter Greene vs. RHP Michael Lorenzen
Greene (0-2, 4.55 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9 in 27 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 7-0 home defeat vs. Philadelphia Phillies Monday
- Never faced Rangers before
Lorenzen (2-0, 2.45 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 6.5 BB/9 and 9 K/9 in 11 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 6-4 win at Atlanta Braves Sunday
- Never faced Reds before
- Pitched for Cincinnati first 7 years of career (2015-21)
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Reds 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 2:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rangers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-190) | Rangers -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Reds at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Reds 2
Moneyline.
BET RANGERS (-125).
The run line is tempting with the +155 odds, but I’d rather take the safer bet with the moneyline.
Greene is a freak on the mound, but you never know what type of performance you’ll get out of him. He’s allowed 4, 1, 6 and 1 earned runs over his last 4 starts.
The Rangers are feasting on right-handed pitching this season, batting .257 as a team and 23 of their 26 home runs have been against righties. Texas was 50-31 at home last season. This start to the season is not indicative of how well they play at Globe Life.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’ll keep my wager to the moneyline for this ballgame.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-115).
The Reds have produced just 1 run in their last 18 innings, and they face another righty on Saturday afternoon. Cincinnati has only a .218 average against right handers so far this season. Don’t expect the Reds to help much in getting the total to 9. It will be all on the Rangers.
The Rangers will get to Greene, but he won’t get shelled. Only one time in his last 6 starts has he allowed more than 4 runs.
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