The Cleveland Guardians (45-46) and the Texas Rangers (53-39) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Saturday at Globe Life Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 1-0 after a 12-4 in Friday’s series opener.
The Guardians fired out to a 4-0 lead Friday, as brothers 1B Josh Naylor and C Bo Naylor swatted a pair of 2-run homers in the top of the 3rd inning. However, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead for RHP Aaron Civale, allowing 10 runs in just 3 innings of service.
The Rangers racked up 4 home runs in the victory, adding to their league-leading run total of 543. No other MLB team has scored more than 508 runs. 1B Nathaniel Lowe had a double and solo homer among his 4 hits in the opener, while All-Stars OF Adolis Garcia and C Jonah Heim each had 3 hits and a home run apiece.
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Guardians at Rangers projected starters
RHP Gavin Williams vs. LHP Andrew Heaney
Williams (1-1, 4.01 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 24 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 7 K in a 10-6 home win vs. the Kansas City Royals last Saturday
- The lone road start in his career: No-decision, 7 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K vs. the Royals in a 2-1 win on June 27
Heaney (5-6, 4.71 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 86 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 8 R (7 ER), 8 H (3 HR), 1 BB, 4 K in an 8-3 road loss vs. the Washington Nationals last Saturday
- 2023 Home Splits: 3-3, 5.29 ERA (47 2/3 IP, 28 ER – 9 HR), .258 opponent batting average (OBA) in 10 starts
Guardians 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 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Rangers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-145) | Rangers -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Guardians at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Guardians 4
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-160) are worth a look as moderate favorites in this middle game.
The Guardians swatted a pair of homers in Friday’s series opener, but this team still pales in comparison offensively to the high-flying Rangers and ranks just 27th in the majors with just 369 runs scored.
Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+120) are worth a roll of the dice on the run line.
Each of Texas’ past 14 victories was by at least 2 runs, so if you like the Rangers, you should like them to cover the run line too.
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Over/Under
OVER 9 (-115) is worth a look, but go lightly.
The Rangers took care of the Over on their own Friday, and the Over is 6-2-2 in their past 10 games at home.
The total has gone high in 4 of the past 6 outings on the road for Cleveland.
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