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The Minnesota Twins (71-65) and the Texas Rangers (75-60) wrap up a 3-game series Sunday at Globe Life Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Twins vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Twins lead 5-1
The Twins have outscored the Rangers 14-8 in the 1st 2 games of the series, and Minnesota has taken 5 of 6 games from Texas just since Aug. 24. The Over is 4-1-1 in the 6 games between these 2 AL playoff contenders, too.
The Rangers have dropped 3 in a row, and Texas is just 3-12 in the previous 15 outings since Aug. 16. Pitching has really hurt Texas of late, as the Rangers staff has coughed up 5 or more runs in 10 of the last 14 outings.
Minnesota holds a 5-game lead in the AL Central over the Cleveland Guardians, while Texas is currently 2 games back in the AL West, occupying 3rd place behind the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.
Twins at Rangers projected starters
RHP Kenta Maeda vs. RHP Jon Gray
Maeda (3-7, 4.69 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 78 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 1 BB and 3 K in a 10-6 home win vs. the Cleveland Guardians Monday
- 2023 road splits: 1-5, 3.19 ERA (42 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 6 HR, 1.04 WHIP, .201 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts
Gray (8-7, 3.79 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 137 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 9 K in a 4-3 road win vs. the New York Mets Monday
- 2023 home splits: 3-4, 4.17 ERA (69 IP, 32 ER), 10 HR, 1.33 WHIP, .270 OBA in 12 starts
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Twins 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 5:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Twins +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Rangers -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Twins +1.5 (-160) | Rangers -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -+100)
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Twins at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Twins 3
The RANGERS (-145) look to salvage at least a game in this potential playoff series preview. Texas is a good behind Gray, although it will still be a close shave. Maeda has some subpar numbers overall, but he has actually been pretty solid away from the Twin Cities.
Run line/Against the spread
The TWINS +1.5 (-160) are worth playing if you want a little bit of insurance, and you just can’t play Minnesota with Maeda on the hill. This should be a close, well-pitched game. As an underdog, Minnesota is 4-1 in the last 5 games on the run line, winning the last 3 games outright.
Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (+100) is a solid play in his matchup of veteran righties.
The Under is 3-1 in the last 4 games overall for the Twins after a 6-0-1 run to the Over from Aug. 22-28.
The Under has cashed in 3 of the last 5 games for the Rangers, while going 4-2 in the last 6 home contests. The total has gone low for Texas in 3 of the last 4 starts with Gray on the mound, too.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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