The Tampa Bay Rays are set to host the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field. The game gets underway 4:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Southwest will televise this AL matchup.
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Tampa Bay (-165) is hosting this one as the favorite against Texas (+155) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 8.5 runs (-105 for the over and -115 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at Rangers +1.5 runs (-140) and Rays -1.5 runs (+120).
The Rays are 46-36 straight up (SU) and 44-37 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 4.5 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Rangers have gone 46-36 SU this year and are 50-31 against the spread. Overall, the club has accumulated 18.3 units for moneyline bettors and 16.2 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven.
Rays games have an over/under record of 33-43-5 so far in 2019. Texas has an over/under record of 38-42-1.
Adrian Sampson is getting the nod for the visiting Rangers. The right-handed Sampson is 6-4 with a 4.14 ERA and 66 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rays this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (0-1, 3.18 ERA and two strikeouts across five and two-third innings).
The Rays are sending Brendan McKay to the mound. This game represents the first MLB start of the year for the left-handed McKay.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has given up 3.6 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.11 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 K/9.
The Tampa Bay hitters have put up 4.5 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .200/.274/.323 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Rays’ offense has been led by outfielders Tommy Pham and Avisail Garcia. Pham is hitting .289/.390/.467 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, 38 runs and seven stolen bases, while Garcia is batting .277 with 11 homers, 35 RBIs, 36 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 4.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.54 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.67, along with a WHIP of 1.41.
Rangers hitters have slashed .256/.335/.451 on their way to 5.5 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been paced by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. The speedy Andrus is hitting .307/.344/.459 with seven home runs, 43 RBIs, 45 runs and 16 steals, while Choo (.285/.384/.493) has produced 12 homers, 34 RBIs and 53 runs scored.
The Rangers have gained 4.3 units and are 17-8 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have lost 3.7 units and are 26-26 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 24 that’ve cashed the under.
Rangers vs. Rays Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in just one of Texas’ last seven games.
- The Rangers have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rays have hit eight over their last 10.
- The Rangers have a team OPS of .785 this season, including an OPS of .731 when facing left-handed pitchers. The Rays’ OPS stands at .748 overall and .720 against lefties.
- Texas has recorded 22.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.4 over its last five.
