Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Texas Rangers (3-2) wrap up their 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (3-3) Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field. First pitch in St. Petersburg is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 1-1

The Rays defeated the Rangers Tuesday 5-2, cashing as a (-144) moneyline favorite. SP Zach Eflin earned the win and 3B Isaac Parades hit a 3-run HR in the 5th inning to help Tampa Bay snap a 6-game losing streak to Texas dating back to last season.

The Rangers have dropped 2 of 3 after opening their season with a couple of wins over the Chicago Cubs. LF Adolis Garcia leads the team with 3 HRs  while 3B Evan Carter sports the 4th-highest OBP on the team despite not having a hit yet.

Rangers at Rays projected starters

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Aaron Civale

Eovaldi (0-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 0.83 WHIP, 1.50 BB/9 and 4.50 K/9 in 6 IP.

  • 2023 road splits: 6-2, 3.56 ERA in 13 starts with 70 K in 76.1 IP
  • Has 12 career starts at Tropicana Field, sporting a 4-5 record with a 5.00 ERA

Civale (1-0, 1.50 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 0.83 WHIP, 1.50 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 6 IP.

  • Limited Toronto Blue Jays to just 3 singles and a solo HR
  • Has started 6 games in his career at the Trop, going 1-1 with a 5.83 ERA

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Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:29 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Rays -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL): Rangers +1.5 (-200) | Rays -1.5 (+164)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -114 | U: -106)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 6, Rangers 5

Moneyline

BET TAMPA BAY (-120).

Fan favorite Randy Arozarena leads the Rays in OBP (.391) and Paredes, who had the most RBI on TB last season (98), has HRs in consecutive games. Expect the Rays offense to build off Tuesday’s 5-run performance that saw the top 4 hitters (1B Yandy Diaz, DH Harold Ramirez, Arozarena & Paredes) all get hits and score runs.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

Certainly wouldn’t chase the plus money with the Rays on the RL. If you like the Dodgers on the ML later this evening vs. San Francisco, pairing Texas +1.5 (-200) along with LA (-235) pays out roughly +110.

Over/Under

BET OVER 8 (-114).

With both SPs sporting a 5.00 ERA or higher at Tropicana Field, expect some runs to be scored early on. SS Corey Seager leads the Rangers with a .421 OBP, and in the 2 Wild Card games played in Tampa Bay last postseason he went 5-for-8 with 3 doubles. The 2x World Series MVP should help generate offense for his Rangers team, it just won’t be enough to keep up through 9 (or potentially more) innings.

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AL Wild Card Series Game 2: Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays Game 2 odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays play Game 2 of an AL Wild Card Series Wednesday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Wild-card series: Rangers lead 1-0

The Rangers showed that the regular season still matters, but all records truly begin at 0-0 when the playoffs start. Texas dropped 7 of the final 10 games in the regular season and lost 2 of 3 meetings at Tropicana Field from June 9-11. The Rangers didn’t care about that on Tuesday, winning 4-0 in Game 1, while outhitting the Rays 9-6.

The Rays committed 4 errors in the series opener while managing just 1 extra-base hit. It was the first shutout loss for Tampa Bay since an 8-0 shellacking at the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 16, and the first shutout loss at home since a 1-0 loss on Sept. 7 against the Seattle Mariners.

Texas has now won 4 straight meetings against Tampa Bay, with the Rangers outscoring the Rays 17-6 during the win streak. The Under has cashed in each of the past 4 meetings, too.

Rangers at Rays projected starters

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Zach Eflin

Eovaldi made 25 starts in the regular season, going 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA. He had a 1.14 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 over 144 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 8-0 road loss vs. Mariners Friday
  • 2023 road splits: 6-2, 3.56 ERA (78 1/3 IP, 31 ER), 6 HR, .227 OBA in 13 starts
  • Making his 7th career postseason start and 12th overall appearance

Eflin was 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA across 31 regular-season starts. He had a 1.02 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 177 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 9-7 road win vs. Boston Red Sox Sept. 26
  • 2023 home splits: 11-4, 3.30 ERA (103 2/3 IP, 38 ER), 11 HR, .238 OBA in 18 starts
  • Making his 1st career postseason start and 11th overall appearance

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Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:13 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Rays -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-155) | Rays -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 4, Rays 2

Moneyline

The RANGERS (+135) are worth a look on the road in Game 2, as they look to send the Rays to the golf course.

Texas got the job done in Game 1, and it is a strong play as a short ‘dog mainly due to the postseason experience factor. Eovaldi has been through the postseason wars in his previous stops, while Eflin is making his first-ever playoff start. Advantage Texas.

In addition, who could blame the Rays for coming out flat, with a historically poor crowd of less than 20,000 fans supporting the team in St. Pete?

Run line/Against the spread

The RANGERS +1.5 (-155) aren’t a terrible play in Game 2 if you just can’t pick the underdogs straight up and would prefer some insurance.

The Rays were sloppy on defense in Game 1 and they plated as many runs as you have reading this column. Tampa is just 9-9 in the past 18 games on the run line when favored after losing the series opener.

Over/Under

The UNDER 8 (-115) is the play again in Game 2. The Rays had hit the Over in 10 of their final 11 regular-season games, but we went low against the trends in Game 1, and we’ll look to run it back for this pivotal Game 2.

The Under has cashed in 3 in a row for the Rangers while going 5-0-1 in their past 6 games overall. Look for runs to be at a premium again in Game 2.

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AL Wild Card Series Game 1: Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays Game 1 odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Texas Rangers (90-72) and the Tampa Bay Rays (99-63) play Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series on Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Regular-season series: Rangers won 4-2

The Rangers frittered away a lead in the final week to lose grip on the AL West title, dropping into a Wild Card series with the 99-win Rays. Texas won 4 of the 6 regular-season meetings but lost 2 of 3 games in St. Petersburg from June 9-11. While the Under cashed in all 3 meetings in Arlington this season, the Over was 3-0 at “The Trop”.

The Rangers limped to the finish line of the regular season, dropping 3 of 4 games in Seattle over the final weekend, playing just 9 total runs. Texas cashed the Under at a 4-0-1 clip in the final 5 games.

The Rays just missed the 2nd-ever 100-win season in franchise history, winning 99 games. Tampa Bay finished strong, going 4-1 in the final 5 outings, while cashing the Over at a 10-1 clip in the final 11 contest of the regular season.

At home, though, Tampa Bay was a mediocre 3-3 in the final 6 regular-season games, while Texas went just 3-7 in the final 10 regular-season road contests.

Rangers at Rays projected starters

LHP Jordan Montgomery vs. LHP Tyler Glasnow

Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 ERA) makes his 2nd career postseason start. He had a 1.19 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 188 2/3 innings with the St. Louis Cardinals and Rangers across 32 starts in the regular season.

  • Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 3-2 road loss vs. the Mariners on Thursday
  • 2023 road splits: 3-6, 2.73 ERA (89 IP, 27 ER), 8 HR, .227 OBA in 15 starts

Glasnow (10-7, 3.53 ERA) makes his 10th career postseason start. He had a 1.08 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 12.2 K/9 in 120 innings across 21 starts.

  • Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 5-0 road win vs. the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday
  • 2023 home splits: 4-3, 3.18 ERA (56 2/3 IP, 20 ER), 5 HR, .163 OBA in 10 starts

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Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:03 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rays -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-165) | Rays -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Rangers 2

Moneyline

The RAYS (-150) are a decent play at home with Glasnow on the bump. He was untouchable at home, with teams hitting just .163 against him across 56 2/3 IP in 10 starts under the dome. That includes the southpaw’s effort on June 9, when Glasnow gave up just a solo HR as the only hit allowed in 6 IP in an 8-3 victory against the Rangers.

Run line/Against the spread

The RAYS -1.5 (+140) are worth playing on the run line, but go lightly.

I trust Glasnow at home, even if he has been uneven in the postseason in the past, over Montgomery. The Rangers +1.5 (-165) also don’t have the playoff experience like the Rays do.

While Tampa Bay is 11-4 in the past 15 games straight up as a favorite, it cashed on the run line at just a 9-8 clip in the past 17 when favored, so tread lightly.

Over/Under

The UNDER 7.5 (-110) is a low number, but we should get a well-pitched game with runs at a premium, especially early on.

Be careful, though, as Tampa Bay hit the Over in 10 of its final 11 regular-season games, while the total went high in the final 9 home games in regular season, too. The Over was also 3-0 in the 3 meetings between these teams in St. Pete.

However, regular season is regular season, and the postseason is a different animal. Pitching and defense should reign supreme in the opener.

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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Texas Rangers (41-22) and Tampa Bay Rays (47-20) wrap up a 3-game set Sunday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 1-1

The Rangers won 8-4 as +100 underdogs at the Rays Saturday. Texas avoided its 3rd straight loss and improved to 23-9 in its last 32 games. They lead the AL West by 5 games.

The Rays closed as -108 home favorites in Saturday’s loss. Tampa Bay has not dropped back-to-back games since May 30. They lead the AL East by 5 1/2 games.

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Rangers at Rays projected starters

LHP Martín Pérez vs. LHP Shane McClanahan

Pérez (6-1, 3.97 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 in 68 innings.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K in a 4-3 win vs. St. Louis Cardinals Monday
  • Career vs. Rays: 4-6, 5.46 ERA (84 IP, 51 ER), 97 H, 12 HR, 27 BB, 70 K in 15 starts and 3 relief appearances

McClanahan (9-1, 2.02 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 75 2/3 innings.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 4-1 win at Boston Red Sox Monday
  • First career start vs. Rangers

Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-130) | Rays -1.5 (+105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Rangers 2

Moneyline

The Rays (-190) should bounce back at home after Saturday’s loss, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when Tampa Bay should win by multiple runs. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

PASS.

Run line/Against the spread

Tampa Bay is 6-1 in its last 7 games after a loss and 6 of its last 7 wins have been by multiple runs. Pérez has struggled against the Rays in his career and Texas seems to be regressing toward the mean after losing 2 of its last 3 games.

BET RAYS -1.5 (+105).

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Over/Under

The Under is 9-3 in Tampa Bay’s last 12 games and 3-0-1 in Texas’ last 4 vs. left-handed starters.

The Under has hit in 5 of the last 7 meetings between these teams and should cash again Sunday with Pérez and McClanahan on the mound.

BET UNDER 8 (-110).

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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Texas Rangers (40-22) play the 2nd game of a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (47-19) on Saturday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 1-0

The Rangers lost the series opener 8-3 Friday, dropping 2 straight games for the first time since losing 2 outings on May 3-5. Texas is still 5 games ahead of the Houston Astros for 1st place in the AL West.

The Rays got a 3-hit performance — including 2 home runs — from 3B Isaac Paredes in Friday’s victory. Tampa Bay is amid a 7-game win streak and it owns the best record in baseball right now.

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Rangers at Rays projected starters

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Taj Bradley

Eovaldi (8-2, 2.24 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 0.93 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 80 1/3 IP.

  • Has allowed just 4 ER over his last 7 starts after giving up multiple ER in each of his first 5 turns this season
  • Career vs. Rays: 5-6, 4.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 in 13 starts and 2 relief appearances

Bradley (4-2, 3.60 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 12.3 K/9 through 35 IP.

  • Won his first 3 career starts but has gone 1-2 over his last 4 outings
  • Has tallied 6 or more K’s in 6 of his first 7 starts

Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:08 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rays -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 4, Rays 3

Moneyline

I’ll back the RANGERS (-110) in Saturday’s showdown although it feels wrong betting against the Rays at home. Eovaldi has been lights out over his last 7 turns and I’ll side with the veteran pitcher over the rookie pitcher in a matchup between two of the best teams in baseball.

Run line/Against the spread

Even though the Rays should keep this game close, go ahead and PASS on the run line in this game. Tampa Bay +1.5 (-190) should keep this game close, but that’s too steep of a price tag to warrant a wager.

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Over/Under

UNDER 8 (-110) is the lean in this contest with how Eovaldi and Bradley have performed thus far. The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these teams and 7-3-1 in their last 11 meetings in Tampa Bay.

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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Texas Rangers (40-21) begin a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (46-19) on Friday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2023; the Rays went 4-3 against the Rangers in 2022

The Rangers had a 5-game win streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday. Texas is currently 5 games ahead of the Houston Astros for 1st place in the AL West.

The Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Thursday to give them 6 wins in a row. Tampa Bay possesses a 6 1/2 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles atop the AL East.

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Rangers at Rays projected starters

LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow

Heaney (4-3, 4.03 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 58 IP.

  • Has walked 2 or more batters in 9 of his first 11 outings
  • Career vs. Rays: 0-3, 3.67 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 across 5 starts

Glasnow (0-0, 3.72 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 13.0 K/9 through 9 2/3 IP.

  • Has tallied 6-plus K’s in each of his first 2 contests
  • Could see 90-plus pitches on Friday after tossing 83 and 88 pitches in his first 2 turns

Rangers at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Rays -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-155) | Rays -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 5, Rangers 4

Moneyline

The RAYS (-160) are the pick in Friday’s matchup considering how they’ve played at home this season. Tampa Bay is 29-6 at home this season and is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings with Texas.

Run line/Against the spread

RANGERS +1.5 (-155) is the pick in this game as I believe Texas can keep this game within a single run. The Rangers and Rays are among the best teams in baseball right now, and it should be a competitive contest at Tropicana Field.

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Over/Under

OVER 8 (-110) is the lean in this showdown with how well these teams hit. The Rangers boast the 2nd-best wOBA (.341) and wRC+ (119) against right-handed pitching this season.

Meanwhile, the Rays are recording a league-best wOBA (.391) and wRC+ (159) against southpaws this season.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Texas Rangers (24-24) host the Tampa Bay Rays (28-21) Wednesday at Globe Life Field for the 3rd game of their 4-game series with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Rangers odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Texas has won the first 2 games of this series by a combined score of 12-5. The Rangers beat the Rays 4-3 in last year’s season series but Tampa Bay had a plus-2 run differential in those meetings.

Rays at Rangers projected starters

LHP Jeffrey Springs vs. RHP Jon Gray  

Springs is 2-2 with a 1.62 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 33 1/3 IP over 5 starts and 8 relief appearances.

  • Last start: Loss, 2-0, Friday vs. the New York Yankees with 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 HR, 0 BB and 6 K.

Gray is 1-2 with a 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 34 IP across 7 starts.

  • Last start: No-decision in 8-5 win at the Oakland Athletics Friday with 6 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 2 HR, 3 BB and 5 K.

Rays at Rangers odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:23 p.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Rays -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Rangers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+145) | Rangers +1.5 (-180)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

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Rays at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 8, Rangers 2

Money line

BET a half-unit on the RAYS (-120) only because they’ve struggled at the plate over the past two weeks and the Rangers hit better vs. left-handed pitching than Tampa’s lineup vs. righties.

But, the Rays have an edge in the starting and relief pitching matchups. Tampa’s bullpen is better than Texas’s by ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR, exit velocity and swing-and-miss rates, according to FanGraphs.

Springs grades in the 98th percentile in chase rate, 83rd percentile in whiff rate, and the 85th percentile or better in expected batting average (xBA), wOBA (xwOBA) and slugging percentage (xSLG) slash line, per Statcast.

Gray is in the 38th percentile or worse in xBA-xwOBA-xSLG slash line, 45th percentile in chase rate and 50th percentile in whiff rate.

Tampa’s ML is taking steam and has been bet up from a -115 opener but there’s still value on the RAYS (-120).

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Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

Texas’s lineup has been a lot more productive recently and hits lefties well and the Rangers +1.5 (-180) are 10-5 RL as home underdogs. I’m also not confident enough in Tampa’s ML to sprinkle on the Rays -1.5 (+145).

Over/Under

LEAN to the OVER 7.5 (+100) only because most of the market is betting the Over but the total has ticked down from an 8-run opener, according to Pregame.com. This type of line movement is suspicious.

However, Tampa is 8-3-2 O/U as a road favorite, Texas is 9-5-1 O/U as a home underdog and 5-2 O/U in Gray’s 7 starts and the Over is 3-1-1 O/U in the last 5 Rays-Rangers meetings.

Also, Globe Life Field is a hitter-friendly park (8th in park factor) and the weather forecast is predicting temperatures in the low-90s and hotter weather typically leads to more Overs.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

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Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (28-19) head to Globe Life Field Monday to start a 4-game series with the Texas Rangers (22-24) with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Rangers odds with MLB picks and predictions.

The Memorial Day game is the first meeting this season. Texas won last year’s season series 4-3.

The Rays split a 4-game series last weekend with the New York Yankees by winning the final 2 games and are 6-4 straight up (SU) in their last 10 games.

Texas had its 4-game winning streak snapped Sunday in a 6-5 loss at the Oakland Athletics. The Rangers are 5-5 SU in the last 10.

Rays at Rangers projected starters

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Glenn Otto 

Rasmussen is 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 43 2/3 IP over 9 starts.

  • Last start: Won 5-4 Wednesday at home vs. the Miami Marlins with 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 HR, 2 BB and 7 K.

Otto is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 29 1/3 IP across 6 starts.

  • Last start: Won 7-2 Wednesday at the Los Angeles Angels with 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB and 7 K.
  • 2022 home splits: 0-1, 10.80 ERA in 2 starts with 10 ER, 12 H, 3 HR, 6 BB and 9 K in 8.1 IP.

Rays at Rangers odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:46 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Rays -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Rangers +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+120) | Rangers +1.5 (-145)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Rays at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 7, Rangers 5

Money line

BET the RAYS (-145) because they have a 3-phase edge over the Rangers (+120) in starting and relief pitching and hitting and there’s sharp line movement headed toward Tampa in the betting market.

Rasmussen isn’t a name getting mentioned a lot, but he’s pitched well for Tampa this season and the Rays are 8-1 SU in Rasmussen’s 9 starts.

Tampa’s bullpen ranks ahead of Texas’s in ERA, FIP, K/BB rate, hard-hit rate, outside-the-zone swing rate and swinging-strike rate, according to FanGraphs.

Also, Texas’s lineup ranks in the bottom 10 of the MLB vs. right-handed pitching in wRC+, wOBA and BB/K rate, per FanGraphs.

Lastly, the Rays appear to be the sharper play since the market has steamed them up from a -124 opening favorite up to the current price (per Pregame.com).

BET the RAYS (-145).

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Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

The Rays -1.5 (+120) isn’t a big enough payout considering the Rangers +1.5 (-145) are 22-11 as underdogs and 9-5 RL as home underdogs.

Over/Under

BET OVER 8.5 (+100).

Tampa is 7-3-2 O/U as road favorites and 3-0-1 O/U in Rasmussen’s last 4 starts as a favorite, while Texas is 8-5-1 O/U as home underdogs and 4-0 O/U in the last 4 home games vs. teams with a winning record.

Also, the conditions favor a higher-scoring affair. Globe Life Field has the 7th-highest park factor, aka very hitter-friendly, and it should be a hot night in Arlington, Texas, (92°) with 15-plus MPH winds blowing out to right-center field.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Texas Rangers (5-7) and Tampa Bay Rays (5-7) wrap up a four-game series Thursday. Tampa Bay took the opener 1-0, and Texas won the next two games (8-3 Tuesday and 5-1 Wednesday). The finale’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Rangers 2-1

RHP Jordan Lyles is projected to start for Texas Thursday. The 11-year veteran is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 2 starts this season.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K vs. San Diego Padres Saturday – Rangers lost 7-4
  • Career vs. Rays: 0-0, 1.69 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 2 ER) in 1 start (2013) and 1 relief appearance (2016)

LHP Rich Hill is the Rays’ projected starter. The 17-year vet is 1-0 with a 7.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 2 starts.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K vs. New York Yankees Friday – Rays won 10-5
  • Career vs. Rangers: 1-0, 1.35 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 1 ER) in 2 relief appearances (2013) and 1 start (2016)

MLB betting offers/promotions

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Rangers at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:31 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rangers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-120) | Rays -1.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Rangers 8, Rays 6

Money line (ML)

The RANGERS (+155) are a decent value. Plus, Lyles is the better pitcher compared to Hill, so far.

Bet TEXAS (+155) for 30% OF 1 UNIT. A $100 player would bet $30; a $10 player would bet $3.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

TEXAS +1.5 (-120) is worth a HALF-UNIT wager – $60 to win $50 for the $100 player. The defending AL champion Rays are 6 games under .500 ATS to start the season. Until they start playing better, it’s not smart to count on them to win by multiple runs. Only 3 of their 5 wins are by 2 or more runs.

ATS records: Rangers 6-6 | Rays 3-9

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 8 (-115) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Rays starter Hill allowed 4 runs in each of his first two starts in 2021.

Both bullpens rank in the bottom fifth of the 30 MLB teams when it comes to ERA. Tampa Bay is 29th with a 6.19 ERA. Texas’ 5.17 ERA ranks 25th.

O/U records: Rangers 5-6-1 | Rays 8-4

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

JOHNNY RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 13-15 5-3 +0.275
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 (all sports) 116-100-1 54-44 +13.825
*SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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