The Texas Rangers are set to face off against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Southwest is in line to televise this AL matchup.
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians Odds
Cleveland (receiving -185 odds) is a sizable favorite against Texas and Vegas has the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-125 for the under and +105 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at -125 for the Rangers +1.5 runs and +105 for the Indians -1.5 runs.
The Indians are 66-46 straight up (SU) and 57-55 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle much for gamblers, gaining 3.1 units for moneyline bettors and 1.6 units ATS. The Rangers are 58-54 SU and have gone 66-46 against the spread. Overall, the team’s accumulated 14.8 units for moneyline bettors and 14.0 units ATS.
Cleveland games have an over/under record of 48-60-4 in 2019. Rangers games have gone under 57 times, gone over 53 times and pushed on two occasions.
The right-handed Ariel Jurado is projected to start for the visiting Rangers. Jurado is 6-6 with a 4.92 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Indians this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Indians will be sending Zach Plesac (6-3, 3.41 ERA) to the mound. Plesac has 47 strikeouts and 25 walks to his name, along with a 1.15 WHIP. Plesac is 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA in one start against Texas this year.
As a unit, Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 3.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Cleveland hitters have produced 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.4 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .269/.320/.488 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Indians’ offense has been led by shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman Carlos Santana. Lindor is slashing .304/.354/.531 with 20 home runs, 48 RBIs, 63 runs and 17 stolen bases, while Santana’s line is .281/.403/.524 with 24 homers, 63 RBIs and 74 runs.
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.13 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 8.66 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.72, along with a WHIP of 1.44.
The Rangers offense has slashed .253/.327/.447 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 5.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Texas’ offensive production has been fueled by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. The speedy Andrus is hitting .285/.319/.417 with eight home runs, 54 RBIs, 56 runs and 23 steals, while Choo is hitting .279/.378/.487 with 18 homers, 44 RBIs and 71 runs scored.
The Indians have lost 3.6 units and are 37-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 28 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers.
Rangers vs. Indians Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in three of Texas’ last seven games.
- Texas has recorded 26.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.4 over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
