[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]