The Los Angeles Angels (59-61) and the Texas Rangers (71-48) play the middle contest of a 3-game series at Globe Life Field Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 4-4
The Angels managed just 1 hit — a 2nd-inning, infield single by 1B Mike Moustakas — in a 12-0 blowout loss to the Rangers in the series opener Monday. RHP Max Scherzer was dominant in his 2nd start since being acquired from the New York Mets, finishing with 11 strikeouts in 7 innings for Texas, which was a -192 favorite.
Los Angeles was sloppy on defense, too, committing 3 errors, including 2 by SS Andrew Velazquez. The Halos continue to sink like a stone in the AL West as they’re just 3-10 across the past 13 games. The Over has cashed in 5 of the past 7 games, while the pitching staff has coughed up 11 or more runs in 3 of the past 4 outings.
While the Halos could do nothing on offense, the Rangers piled up 7 extra-base hits with 5 doubles and 2 homers among the team’s 13 hits Monday. 2B Marcus Semien had a 3-run HR while driving in 5 runs, and All-Star OF Adolis Garcia cracked his 30th HR of the season.
The Rangers have won 11 of their past 13 games since the MLB non-waiver trade deadline. They lead the division by 3½ games over the Houston Astros, who lost to the Miami Marlins 5-1 Monday.
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Angels at Rangers projected starters
RHP Lucas Giolito vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery
Giolito (7-8, 4.37 ERA) makes his 25th start of the season and 4th start for the Angels since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Between the 2 clubs, he has a 1.26 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 136 innings in 2023.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 7-5 home win vs. San Francisco Giants Aug. 8
- 3 starts since trade: 1-2, 9.00 ERA (15 IP, 15 ER), 1.60 WHIP
- 2023 road splits: 3-6, 6.15 ERA (67 1/3 IP, 46 ER), 17 HR, 1.63 WHIP, .288 opponent batting average (OBA) in 13 starts
Montgomery (7-10, 3.38 ERA) makes his 24th start and 3rd start since joining the Rangers after a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 133 innings between the Cardinals and Rangers.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 2-0 road loss vs. the Oakland A’s Wednesday
- 2 starts since trade: 1-1, 3.00 ERA (12 IP, 4 ER), 1.25 WHIP
- 2023 home splits: 5-4, 3.45 ERA (70 1/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.280 WHIP, .262 OBA in 12 starts
Angels 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 6:29 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Rangers -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-150) | Rangers -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Angels at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 7, Angels 4
Moneyline
While I usually don’t like backing favorites of more than -160, the RANGERS (-165) are the play in Game 2 of this series. Montgomery hasn’t nearly been as dominant as fellow deadline acquisition Scherzer, but he has been solid since coming over from St. Louis.
On the flip side, the Angels (+140) have been hot garbage since the deadline, and this team is fading from the picture fast.
Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS -1.5 (+125) are worth a look on the run line. Texas easily covered the run line as a favorite Monday, and the Angels might have trouble with Giolito on the hill.
Giolito was added prior to the deadline from the White Sox, but he hasn’t helped, coughing up 15 earned runs in 15 innings, while serving up 5 homers. Not good.
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Over/Under
Consider an OVER 9 (-105) bet as Giolito, as mentioned, has been very giving since joining the Halos. The concern is whether or not the Angels offense can cobble together enough offense against Montgomery — they were 1-hit Monday. The Angels are in a downward spiral, and it remains to be seen if they can pull out of it.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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