Tommy Pham and the surging Tampa Bay Rays are set to take on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in a Wednesday showdown. Fox Sports Southwest will be televising this AL matchup. The first pitch will be at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers Odds
The Rangers are 72-74 straight up (SU) and 80-65 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 10.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.0 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Rays are 87-59 SU and have gone 75-70 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 0.9 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 4.3 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Rangers games have had an over/under record of 65-77-3 in 2019. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 69-68-8.
The right-handed Andrew Kittredge will get the nod for the visiting Rays. Kittredge is 1-0 with a 4.17 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rangers this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Rangers will turn to righty Ariel Jurado (7-10, 5.40 ERA), who’s got 78 strikeouts and 34 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.46. Jurado did not re a start against the Rays in 2018.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.51 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.27 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.73, along with a WHIP of 1.12 and a K/9 of 9.43.
The Rays offense has slashed .254/.327/.431 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.5 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).
Tampa Bay’s offense has been led by Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows, who’ve collectively launched 49 home runs. Pham is slashing .279/.377/.463 with 20 home runs, 61 RBIs, 68 runs and 20 steals, while Meadows (.289/.358/.561) has produced 29 homers, 80 RBIs and 70 runs scored.
For the home team, Texas’ pitching staff has given up 5.2 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 5.03 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.63 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
The Texas hitters are putting up 4.9 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .290/.365/.457 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo have led the Rangers’ offense this year. Andrus is slashing .273/.312/.393 with 10 home runs, 63 RBIs, 71 runs and 27 steals, and Choo’s line sits at .263/.366/.450 with 21 homers, 53 RBIs and 83 runs scored.
The Rays have gained 3.3 units and are 46-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 47 of those games, compared to 41 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 8.6 units and are 52-41 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 40 of those games, compared to 52 that went under the total.
Rays vs. Rangers Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in four of Texas’ last seven games.
- The Rays have won 11 of their last 12 games SU.
- Tampa Bay fielders have two errors over the last 10 games, compared to seven errors for Texas over its last 10.
- The Rays have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rangers have hit 12 over their last 10.
- The Rays have a total OPS of .758 this season and an OPS of .766 against right-handed pitchers. The Rangers’ OPS stands at .750 overall and .764 versus righties.
