The Tampa Bay Rays are ready to face off against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. Fox Sports Southwest will be airing this AL matchup and the game gets underway at 2:05 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers Odds
The Rays have gone 84-66 SU this year and are 85-64 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 24.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 22.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Rangers, on the other hand, are 64-87 SU and 73-77 ATS. They’ve lost 6.4 units for moneyline bettors and 9.1 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Rangers games have an over/under record of 71-69-10 in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a decent under bet with a total record of 65-79-5.
Diego Castillo will get the start for the visiting Rays. Castillo is 3-2 with a 3.24 ERA and 55 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rangers this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Rangers are going with lefty Yohander Mendez (2-1, 3.86 ERA), who has 11 strikeouts and nine walks, as well as a 1.29 WHIP. Mendez did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.39 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.61, along with a WHIP of 1.16.
Rays hitters have slashed .258/.334/.405 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offensive production has been fueled by third baseman Matt Duffy and second baseman Joey Wendle. The speedy Duffy is slashing .298/.362/.371 with four home runs, 42 RBIs and 53 runs scored, while Wendle has a .298 average with seven homers, 53 RBIs, 55 runs and 13 stolen bases.
For the home team, Texas’ pitching staff has given up 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.29 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
The Texas offense has put up 4.7 runs per outing, including 2.8 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .199/.271/.348 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Shin-soo Choo and Jurickson Profar have paced the Rangers’ hitters this year. Choo is slashing .269/.383/.445 with 21 home runs, 62 RBIs and 80 runs scored, and Profar’s line is .256/.339/.461 with 18 homers, 74 RBIs and 78 runs.
The Rays have gained 10.6 units and are 25-16 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 14 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Tampa Bay has recorded 17 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Texas has 16 XBH over its last five.
Texas has posted 15.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 15.4 over its last five.
The Rays have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
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