The Philadelphia Phillies (0-2) and Texas Rangers (2-0) meet Sunday for the final game of a 3-game series. First Pitch from Globe Life Field is set for 7:08 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Phillies vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead the season series 2-0. Texas won the 2022 series 4-0.
Pitching and defense have proven to be problems for the Phillies to start the season, as they have given up a combined 27 runs and 5 HRs with 2 errors over their first 2 games.
The Rangers plated 11 runs on Opening Day Thursday and followed that up with 16 runs Saturday. Texas is the only team in the loaded AL West to not have suffered a loss in its opening series.
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Phillies at Rangers projected starters
LHP Bailey Falter vs. LHP Martin Perez
Falter went 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 2022. He had a 1.21 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 84 IP.
- Was stellar in away games last season with a 3-1 record, 2.42 ERA, and 15 runs allowed through 44 2/3 IP across 9 starts and 1 relief appearance.
- Has not faced Texas in his first 2 seasons.
- Struggled in April last season, going 0-1 record and a 4.91 ERA in 4 relief appearances.
Perez went 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA in 2022. He had a 1.26 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 through 196 1/3 IP.
- Was solid at home last year with a 5-4 record and 2.92 ERA with only 5 home runs allowed through 92 1/3 IP across 16 starts.
- Was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA through 13 IP across 2 starts vs. Phillies in 2022; most recent appearance 6 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K on June 21
Phillies 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 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Phillies +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rangers -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies +1.5 (-190) | Rangers -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Phillies at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Phillies 2
Moneyline
BET RANGERS (-125).
The Rangers have dominated the Phillies over the last 2 seasons. The Phillies are 0-8 in the last 8 meetings with the Rangers in Texas and 3-13 in the last 16 meetings overall. The Rangers may be 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a left-handed starter but that doesn’t outweigh the Phillies’ struggles, but perhaps it limits their output.
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN RANGERS -1.5 (+155).
Only 1 of the last 9 meetings between these clubs has been a 1-run game and with the way the Rangers have dominated the Phillies so far they are the more likely side to cover. The Phillies have called on their bullpen a lot through the first 2 games of the series and may need to ask a lot from Falter.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-105).
The Under cashed in the final 3 meetings between these teams last season, and it is unlikely that the Rangers will stay as hot at the plate as they have been to start the year. Expect this game to be a lower-scoring game with Perez
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