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The Texas Rangers (18-16) and Kansas City Royals (20-14) wrap up a 3-game series Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Rangers bounced back from a 7-1 loss in the series opener Friday night, pounding the Royals 15-4 in Saturday’s middle game. The run total Saturday was a season high, and just the 4th time Texas has scored in double digits.
The Royals were roughed up Saturday, but Kansas City has still scored 4 or more runs in 5 straight games. That’s been par for the course, as the Royals rank 12th in the majors with 4.68 runs per game. The pitching staff continues to do its job, too, for the most part. Kansas City has a 3.41 team ERA, which ranks 7th in the majors.
Rangers at Royals projected starters
RHP Jon Gray vs. LHP Daniel Lynch IV
Gray (1-1, 2.48 ERA) makes his 7th start and 8th appearance. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 32 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 7-1 home win vs. Washington Nationals Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: 0-0, 1.17 ERA, 7 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H (0 HR), 3 BB, 11 K with .115 opponents’ batting average (OBA) and 0.78 WHIP in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
Lynch IV (2-0, 5.86 ERA) made 6 starts for Triple-A Omaha. He has a 1.73 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 27 2/3 innings.
- Making his 2024 season debut in the majors
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 5 ER, 6 H (2 HR), 2 BB, 3 K in 11-10 home win vs. Detroit Tigers July 18, 2023
- 2023 home splits: 2-2, 6.59 ERA, 27 1/3 IP, 22 R (20 ER), 29 H (6 HR), 11 BB, 23 K with .264 OBA and 1.46 WHIP in 5 starts
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Rangers at Royals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Royals +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+128) | Royals +1.5 (-154)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)
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Rangers at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Royals 2
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-132) are a strong play in the series finale behind the veteran Gray.
The right-handed veteran pitcher has been a steadying force in the rotation for a Rangers team which has been a bit mediocre in the 1st month and change.
The Royals (+112) can’t be trusted with the southpaw Lynch coming up to make his season debut. He has been poor in his time with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a less conservative bettor, back the RANGERS -1.5 (+128) on the run line.
Texas is just 7-7 straight up in the past 14 games as a favorite while it has covered 4 of the past 7 on the run line when favored. There is plenty of risk. Playing the run line isn’t for the faint of heart.
Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (+100) is the lean, but playing a half-unit at most is the most prudent action.
While Texas exploded for a season-high 15 runs Sunday, the Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games while going 8-3 in the previous 11 contests.
For Kansas City, the total has gone low in 3 of the past 4 outings and 9-3-1 in the previous 13 games.
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