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The Cleveland Guardians (69-78) and the Texas Rangers (82-64) open a 3-game set at Progressive Field Friday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 3-0
The Guardians lost 2 of 3 games at the San Francisco Giants from Monday to Wednesday, losing the finale 6-5 as +136 underdogs. Cleveland is 3-7 over its last 10 games, 36-36 at home this season and 8 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.
The Rangers have won 6 straight games including a 4-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays to kick off the week. Texas won 9-2 Thursday as a +139 underdog and is 6-4 over its last 10 games and 37-34 on the road this season. The Rangers are half a game back of the Houston Astros in the AL West and hold the 2nd AL Wild Card.
Rangers at Guardians projected starters
RHP Jon Gray vs. RHP Lucas Giolito
Gray (8-7, 3.96 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 145 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 9-4 home win vs. Oakland Athletics Sunday
- 2023 road stats: 5-3, 3.41 ERA in 68 2/3 IP in 12 starts
Giolito (7-13, 4.89 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 163 2/3 IP for the Guardians, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 9 K in 6-2 road loss vs. Angels Saturday
- 2023 home stats: 4-4, 3.48 ERA in 77 2/3 IP in 13 starts
Rangers at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Guardians +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+125) | Guardians +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Rangers at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Guardians 4
Moneyline
BET RANGERS (-135).
Texas is 19-16 as a road favorite this season and is the 4th-best team following a win (49-32). It should also have the advantage among the two starting pitchers as Gray has been better away from home.
Cleveland sits 8 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central while the Rangers are in a 3-way battle for the top spot in the AL West. This game should be more important to Texas. Back RANGERS (-135).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The Rangers spread could have value, but ultimately the safer play on the moneyline is preferred.
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 8.5 (-120).
The Rangers are as hot as it gets right now, cashing the Over in 5 straight games and 11 of their last 12. Texas has scored 6 or more in all 5 of those games and has plated 9 runs or more in 4 of the 5 games. The Rangers are 75-61-10 O/U on the season and 3 of Gray’s last 4 turns have resulted in Overs.
The Guardians have gone Over in 3 of their last 6 games and have scored at least 3 runs in 3 straight games.
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