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The Texas Rangers (72-54) and Minnesota Twins (65-62) begin a 4-game series at Target Field Thursday. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Twins and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Texas won 5 of 7 games in 2022
The Rangers lost their 6th straight game on Tuesday, 6-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have been outscored 33-17 over this losing streak. Texas is 30-30 on the road this season.
Minnesota was swept in a 2-game series in Milwaukee and return to Target Field to begin a 7-game homestand. The Twins have won 6 of their last 8 games at home outscoring their opponents 43-25 over that stretch.
Rangers at Twins projected starters
RHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Pablo Lopez
Heaney (9-6, 4.27 ERA) will make his 25th start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 118 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 9-8 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Friday
- Last start vs Twins: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 7-2 home win on April 12, 2022, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2023 road stats: 3-3, 4.23 ERA (44 2/3 IP, 21 ER), .229 OBA in 9 games
Lopez (9-6, 3.51 ERA) will make his 26th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 11 K/9 in 153 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 5-1 home victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday
- Only start vs Rangers: Loss, 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 8-0 home loss on July 21, 2022, as a member of the Miami Marlins
- Has 4 straight victories
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Rangers at Twins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at Wednesday at 11:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Twins -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-190) | Twins -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rangers at Twins picks and predictions
Prediction
Twins 5, Rangers 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rangers are in a tailspin and I don’t see that changing in the Twins Cities on Thursday night. I would bet the Twins, but I don’t love these odds. I’d prefer to bet the run line with those juicy plus odds.
Run line/Against the spread
BET MINNESOTA -1.5 (+155).
I typically don’t love giving the run and a half but with Lopez on the mound for the Twins, I believe in Minnesota. He hasn’t lost a start since July 20 in Seattle and allowed just 2 ER in that game. Lopez hasn’t lost at home since July 19.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-115).
If you combine the last 4 starts of these 2 starting pitchers (41 2/3 innings pitched) they have allowed a grand total of just 5 ER. That’s a 1.08 ERA between the 2 of them. This game is destined to be a pitching duel.
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