In the last of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (58-57) and the Tampa Bay Rays (58-58) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Yovani Gallardo (8-9, 3.33 ERA) and Drew Smyly (0-1, 2.70 ERA) get the ball. The Rangers won the last game 12-4 and Texas leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16 and will air on SUN and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Gallardo pitched 5.2 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out one and walking three in a 3-2 loss to the Twins. Mitch Moreland (.298, 39 Rs, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3. The Rays were unsuccessful to the Red Sox 2-0 the last time Smyly pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out six and walking two. Steven Souza Jr. (.214, 47 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with two runs.
Texas is a -117 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Rangers are 9-12 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +1,609. The Rangers typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an impressive 3.2 walks per home game.
Switching gears, the Rays come into this game with a win percentage of .468 when playing as the underdog (29-33) and an overall money line of -149. During the last 10 games, they averaged 5.1 runs per game, above their 3.7 season average. Switching gears to Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, they allow just 7.8 hits per game, good for tops in the AL. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.3 strikeouts per game.
The Rangers have gotten the best of the Rays in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-2. This game will feature Smyly (LHP) on the mound against the Rangers, who have a 19-22 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Gallardo will take the mound against the Rays, who have a 38-44 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 12 runs. The Rays have a 0-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Rays, as the Rangers have won their last three games while the Rays have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 41-16. The Rangers have a 45-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 434 this season. Texas ranks fourth with 519 runs.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 313 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with 336.
The Rangers are 45-23 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rays are 42-31 when they hit at least one homer.
