Two of the MLB's division leaders go head-to-head on Monday as the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays (60-36) head to Globe Life Field to take on the AL West's Texas Rangers (55-39).
- Rays vs Rangers Game Info
- Rays vs Rangers Odds & Spread
- Rays vs Rangers Betting Trends
- Rays vs Rangers Prediction & Pick
- Rays vs Rangers Best Bet
Rays vs Rangers Game Info
- Date:'Monday, July 17, 2023
- Time:'8:05 p.m. ET
- Venue:'Globe Life Field — Arlington, Texas
- Coverage:'Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Southwest
The Rays' three-game winning streak came to a halt Sunday with an 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers, on the other hand, won their third game in a row with a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians, highlighted by Josh Jung's two-run single in the eighth inning that gave Texas the lead.
Rays vs Rangers Odds & Spread
- Moneyline:'TB: (-130) | TEX: (+110)
- Spread:'TB: -1.5 (+130) | TEX: +1.5 (-156)
- Total:'8.5 — Over: (-122) | Under: (+100)
The Rays enter this contest as road favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8:05 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 8.5 runs with the Over being favored at -122 odds.
Rays vs Rangers Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 3-8 straight up (SU) in its last 11 games.
- Texas is 6-12 SU in its last 18 home games against Tampa Bay.
- The total has hit the Under in five of Tampa Bay's last seven games.
- The total has hit the Over in four of Texas' last six home games on a Monday.
Rays vs Rangers Prediction & Pick
There's a good chance that tonight's matchup will be a pitcher duel. The Rays are rolling with Shane McClanahan, who has the fourth-best AL Cy Young odds (+500), per FanDuel Sportsbook. The 26-year-old ace, who's making his return from back tightness, hasn't lost a game since May, going 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his last five starts.
Although the Rangers' Dane Dunning isn't in the Cy Young conversation, he's still been one of his team's most reliable arms – especially at home. In nine appearances (five starts) at Globe Life Field thus far, Dunning is 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.053 WHIP.
I see the Rays picking up the win tonight. They've already beaten the Rangers twice this season, including one outing that saw McClanahan lead the charge in a 7-3 victory on June 11. Furthermore supporting my pick is the fact that Tampa Bay has a 12-6 SU record in its last 18 trips to Globe Life Field.
It's a game that could go either way, but the Rays' success in Arlington, as well as McClanahan's Cy Young-quality plays, gives them the edge.
Final Score Prediction:'Rays: 4 | Rangers: 3
Rays vs Rangers Best Bet
Even though he's been great this season, I don't see Shane McClanahan finishing with more than 5.5 strikeouts tonight. He's only averaging 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings in his last five starts, finishing with the Under in each of those appearances.
The Rangers are also solid at making contact with the ball, boasting the MLB's best batting average (.275) with the 13th-fewest strikeouts per game (8.5). Throw in the fact that he only had five K's in last month's meeting with Texas and I see McClanahan coming up short on his projected strikeout total.