The Texas Rangers (5-7) and Tampa Bay Rays (5-7) wrap up a four-game series Thursday. Tampa Bay took the opener 1-0, and Texas won the next two games (8-3 Tuesday and 5-1 Wednesday). The finale’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Rangers 2-1
RHP Jordan Lyles is projected to start for Texas Thursday. The 11-year veteran is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 2 starts this season.
- Last outing: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K vs. San Diego Padres Saturday – Rangers lost 7-4
- Career vs. Rays: 0-0, 1.69 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 2 ER) in 1 start (2013) and 1 relief appearance (2016)
LHP Rich Hill is the Rays’ projected starter. The 17-year vet is 1-0 with a 7.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 2 starts.
- Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K vs. New York Yankees Friday – Rays won 10-5
- Career vs. Rangers: 1-0, 1.35 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 1 ER) in 2 relief appearances (2013) and 1 start (2016)
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Rangers at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:31 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-120) | Rays -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Rangers 8, Rays 6
Money line (ML)
The RANGERS (+155) are a decent value. Plus, Lyles is the better pitcher compared to Hill, so far.
Bet TEXAS (+155) for 30% OF 1 UNIT. A $100 player would bet $30; a $10 player would bet $3.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
TEXAS +1.5 (-120) is worth a HALF-UNIT wager – $60 to win $50 for the $100 player. The defending AL champion Rays are 6 games under .500 ATS to start the season. Until they start playing better, it’s not smart to count on them to win by multiple runs. Only 3 of their 5 wins are by 2 or more runs.
ATS records: Rangers 6-6 | Rays 3-9
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 8 (-115) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Rays starter Hill allowed 4 runs in each of his first two starts in 2021.
Both bullpens rank in the bottom fifth of the 30 MLB teams when it comes to ERA. Tampa Bay is 29th with a 6.19 ERA. Texas’ 5.17 ERA ranks 25th.
O/U records: Rangers 5-6-1 | Rays 8-4
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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
| JOHNNY RECORD | W-L | SP | ROI |
| 2021 MLB | 13-15 | 5-3 | +0.275 |
| 2020 MLB | 80-59-1 | 39-21 | +24.79 |
| 2021 (all sports) | 116-100-1 | 54-44 | +13.825 |
| *–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment | |||
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