The Texas Rangers (8-9) visit the Colorado Rockies (12-6) Friday to start a three-game series at Coors Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rangers-Rockies MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Both clubs are 6-4 in their last 10 games; the Rockies are 6-4 at home, and Texas is 1-5 on the road.
Rangers at Rockies: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Lance Lynn at RHP Ryan Castellani
In this short 2020 sample size, Lynn has continued the form he regained in 2019; he has spun a 2-0 record with a 1.16 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 23 1/3 frames.
- Unfortunately, he’s walked 12 batters in that window and has been wildly lucky with a .174 BABIP and a ridiculous 99% left-on-base rate.
- Some of those runners will reach base and cross homeplate more frequently. Coors Field feels like the perfect battlefield for that comeuppance.
The Rockies’ counterpart, however, fell into a rotation spot recently. Castellani has just four major-league innings to his resume, after posting an 8.31 ERA across 10 starts for Class Tripe-A Albuquerque in 2019.
- Castellani averages a decent 93.7 mph on his four-seam fastball, though, and twirled four shutout innings in his debut Saturday.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
Rangers at Rockies: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Rangers
- C Robinson Chirinos (ankle) questionable
- RP Nick Goody (back) out
- OF Danny Santana (forearm) out
- RP Jose Leclerc (shoulder) out
Rockies
- INF Chris Owings (hamstring) questionable
- RP Wade Davis (shoulder) out
- OF Ian Desmond (personal) opted out of 2020 season
- RP Scott Oberg (back) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Rangers at Rockies: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:25 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockies 7, Rangers 5
The ultimate battle of “sometimes elite pitcher” against arguably the best home offense — and definitely versus the worst stadium for pitchers; the Rockies rank second in baseball with a .384 home wOBA.
I’m going to fade the pitcher with red flags for correction, especially because of some favorable bets ahead. Both bullpens are messy, so even if Lynn performs well, these lineups should have fun in the late innings.
Plus, it’s difficult right now to move against Colorado’s scorching-hot Charlie Blackmon: .472/.506/.681 in 79 plate appearances, and a league-best .477 home wOBA since the start of the 2019 season.
Moneyline (ML)
- Rangers (-129)
- Rockies (+115)
I’ll give Lynn his due, but not when Colorado is getting positive odds in Coors Field. BET the ROCKIES (+115).
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Rockies (+115) would return a profit of $11.50.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
- Rangers -1 (-110)
- Rockies +1 (-110)
The default promoted lines don’t do much. PASS.
Instead, look at BetMGM’s alternate lines for Rangers-Rockies. BET ROCKIES -1.5 (+200) for a bigger return in a situation that could easily see Lynn stumble.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Rockies -1.5 (+200) would return a profit of $20.
Over/Under (O/U)
- Over 12.5 (-115)
- Under 12.5 (-106)
O/U records: Rangers 9-8-0, Rockies 8-9-1
Lynn should face some rough stretches in this ballpark but is solid enough to keep this one just low enough to fade this high total. BET the UNDER 12.5 (-106), though my predicted total merely shorts this benchmark by hitting 12 instead of 13.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Under would return a profit of $9.43.
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