The Texas Rangers (56-39) search for their fifth run in a row when they host the Tampa Bay Rays (60-37) at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night.
- 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:'Tuesday, July 18, 2023
- Time:'8:05 p.m. ET
- Venue:'Globe Life Field — Arlington, Texas
- Coverage:'MLB.TV
The two teams opened a three-game series Monday with a pitching duel, ending in a 3-2 win for the host Rangers. The game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Tampa Bay reliever Pete Fairbanks threw a wild pitch, allowing pinch runner Josh Smith to score the winning run with two outs.
Rays vs Rangers Odds & Spread
- Moneyline:'TB: (+110) | TEX: (-130)
- Spread:'TB: +1.5 (-192) | TEX: -1.5 (+158)
- Total:'8.5 — Over: (-120) | Under: (-102)
The Rangers enter this contest as home 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 -120 odds.
Rays vs Rangers Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 2-4 straight up (SU) in its last six road games.
- Texas is 6-3 SU in its last nine games against Tampa Bay.
- The total has hit the Under in six of Tampa Bay's last eight games.
- The total has hit the Over in four of Texas' last five games against Tampa Bay.
Rays vs Rangers Prediction & Pick
The Rangers are counting on starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to help them improve to 5-0 since the MLB All-Star Break. The good news for them is that the form World Series Champion has put on a clinic at Globe Life Field lately, going 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his last five home starts.
At the same time, the Rays desperately need a turnaround showing out of Taj Bradley. The struggling rookie SP can't seem to find his footing, allowing 16 earned runs on 22 hits over his last 12 1/3 innings (three starts), good for an abysmal 11.68 ERA.
The Rangers will eat Bradley alive tonight. They're near the top when it comes to a good chunk of the MLB's batting statistics, including runs per game (5.83, No. 1), batting average (.274, No. 1), and on-base plus slugging percentage (.803, No. 2).
The Rays are more than capable of putting up a fight, but their pitching situation combined with the Rangers' recent momentum has me siding with the home team.
Final Score Prediction:'Rangers: 5 | Rays: 3
Rays vs Rangers Best Bet
I can see the Rangers covering the spread tonight. For starters, they've done well when it comes to covering at home, going 30-19 against the spread (ATS) at Globe Life Field thus far. Meanwhile, the Rays are just 24-23 ATS on the road, which drops to 14-15 ATS against fellow AL clubs.
Furthermore, the Rays own a minus-3.3 average run margin in Bradley's last three starts, whereas the Rangers own a plus-2.1 mark when Eovaldi has been on the mound at home.