The Colorado Rockies look to even up their season-opening series against the Texas Rangers Saturday at Globe Life Field. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rockies-Rangers MLB betting odds and picks, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Rockies at Rangers: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Jon Gray vs. LHP Mike Minor
Gray: 3.84 ERA and 11-8 record over 25 starts and one other appearance in 2019.
- Has played better at the hitter-friendly Coors Field over his career with a 4.36 ERA compared to his 4.56 rate on the road.
- Typically performs much better later in the season. Gave up a total of eight runs over 12 2/3 innings in his first two starts of 2019.
Minor: Earned his first All-Star selection in 2019 while pitching to 14-10 record and 3.59 ERA over 32 starts.
- Struck out 8.6 batters per nine innings with 2.9 walks per nine and 1.3 home runs allowed per nine last season.
- Has a 6-12 record but 3.62 ERA in 23 starts and 32 total appearances in interleague play.
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Rockies at Rangers: Key injuries
Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.
Rockies
- 2B Ian Desmond (personal) out for season
- RP Scott Oberg (back) out
Rangers
- OF Willie Calhoun (hip) will play
- 2B Eli White (oblique) out
Rockies at Rangers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockies 4, Rangers 3
Moneyline (ML)
Friday’s 1-0 Rangers win was one of two games on MLB Opening Day to see just a single run scored. Each team mustered just three hits. The Rockies struck out a total of 14 times with six walks. The Rangers drew three walks against a more respectable six K’s.
Take the value in the underdog ROCKIES at even-money (+100) rather than laying the -112 for the home side. Minor gets the slight edge in the pitching matchup, but he regressed to a 4.93 ERA over the second half of 2019 while allowing opponents to slash .274/.327/.465.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rockies to win would return a profit of $10.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Despite being moneyline underdogs, the Rockies are actually favored on the run line (-1.5, +145). This is a sign of how tight the game is projected to be following Friday’s low-scoring affair. Take the RANGERS +1.5 (-175) to stay within a run in a loss or to win outright.
Texas was 86-76 against the spread in 2019 while Colorado was just 73-89.
Over/Under (O/U)
Expect some more runs than we saw between these two clubs Friday, but Saturday’s projected total of 9 has been set far too high. Take the UNDER 9 (-110) until at least one of these teams shows more signs of life at the plate.
Esten’s 2020 MLB betting record: 4-2
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