Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Texas Rangers (10-9) and Detroit Tigers (10-8) clash in a Thursday matinee as they close out a 4-game set in the Motor City. First pitch is slated for 1:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rangers lead 2-1

A Josh Smith pinch-hit, RBI double in the top of the 9th vaulted Texas to a 5-4 win in Wednesday’s tilt. The 5 runs came after the Rangers had scored just 3 times over the 1st 2 games.

The Tigers won Tuesday’s game by breaking a 2-2 tie in the 8th. Four Detroit pitchers combined to scatter 6 singles and 1 walk.

Rangers at Tigers projected starters

RHP Jack Leiter vs. RHP Kenta Maeda

Leiter, the son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter, will be making his Major League debut Thursday.

  • Leiter, who pitched at Vanderbilt, was the 2nd-overall pick in the 2021 draft
  • Off to a hot start at Triple-A Round Rock in 2024 after faltering in his 1st 2 pro seasons; owns a 3.77 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 14 1/3 IP
  • Last pitched April 12, filing 10 K against 0 BB in 6 IP vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate

Maeda (0-1, 6.00 ERA) is tabbed for his 4th start of the 2024 season. He has logged a 1.27 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 through 15 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 11-5 loss vs. Minnesota Twins Saturday
  • Career vs. Rangers: 2-0, 3.32 ERA (21 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 22 H, 10 BB, 17 K
  • Has been a slow starter throughout his career (.810 OPS allowed in March-April games)

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

Rangers at Tigers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:03 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Tigers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+150) | Tigers +1.5 (+185)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Rangers at Tigers picks and predictions

Prediction

Tigers 5, Rangers 4

Moneyline

Maeda is coming off a solid start, and the veteran righty is backed by the better bullpen (although Detroit’s 1.70 ERA relief ERA has certainly been tamped down by a .199 batting average on balls in play). The Texas pen has thus far walked 3.9 batters per 9 and owns a shaky 4.96 ERA.

Leiter is a wild card, but I’m inclined to lean more on his 2-year control issues than his April, 2024. Still, some might consider going in small as far as unit size; I often apply that to any baseball betting when a new shooter is on the mound or when a hurler is short on innings and/or returning from injury.

BACK TIGERS (-110).

Run line/Against the spread

Better value on the RL: PASS.

Over/Under

The Detroit offense has been hemmed in by a 2-for-23 performance with runners in scoring position in this series.

The starting and bullpen pitching figures to skew toward fly-ball types, and a batter’s breeze is expected during game hours.

TAKE OVER 8.5 (-105).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]