The Texas Rangers (64-46) welcome the Miami Marlins (58-53) to Globe Life Field Saturday. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Marlins vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Texas leads 1-0
The Marlins lost the series opener 6-2 Friday, marking their 4th loss in their last 5 games. Miami is 2-5 over its last 7 games and 24-29 on the road this season, sitting 3rd in the NL East — 14 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves.
The Rangers swept the Chicago White Sox in a 3-game series to start the week and enter on a 4-game win streak. They are 38-20 at home this season but just 5-5 over their last 10 games overall, although 6 of those outings were on the road. Texas leads the AL West, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Houston Astros.
Marlins at Rangers projected starters
RHP George Soriano vs. RHP Jon Gray
Soriano (0-0, 1.98 ERA) makes his 1st career start and 12th appearance. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 27 1/3 IP.
- Last appearance: No-decision, 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K in relief in 8-6 home win vs. Detroit Tigers Sunday
- 2023 away stats: 0-0, 2.25 ERA (12 IP, 3 ER) in 4 relief appearances
Gray (6-5, 3.66 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 108 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 10-9 road loss at Houston Astros on July 24
- 2023 home stats: 2-3, 4.13 ERA (56 2/3 IP, 26 ER) in 10 starts
- Career vs. Marlins: 4-3, 52 2/3 IP, 21 ER, 55 H, 8 BB, 55 K in 9 starts
Marlins at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Marlins +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rangers -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Marlins +1.5 (-125) | Rangers -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Marlins at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Marlins 2
Moneyline
PASS.
Betting against the Rangers at home this season hasn’t been wise, and that trend should continue Saturday. They had a strong start to the series as OF Adolis Garcia got a hit in each at-bat and finished with 2 RBIs.
Texas has the 2nd-best home record in the majors, only behind the Tampa Bay Rays. That strength makes the Marlins a pass, but Texas (-190) is far too expensive as an outright play.
Run line/Against the spread
BET RANGERS -1.5 (+105).
The Marlins will be starting Soriano, who likely won’t go more than 3 innings. They don’t have a strong bullpen, sitting 17th in the league in reliever ERA (4.12).
Texas has been the best team in the MLB on the run line at home, posting a strong 37-21 record. It is also the best in the majors as a favorite (40-31). On the flip side, Miami is just 26-27 on the run line on the road (the 5th-worst covering rate in MLB).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 9 (-115).
The Under has been a strong play for the Rangers as of late. They have gone Under in 6 of their last 7 games, having allowed just 6 runs throughout their last 4 games.
Miami is 51-56-4 O/U on the season and has gone Under in 4 of its last 5 games as well. Its bats have been a problem as of late, scoring 2 or fewer runs in 4 of its last 5 games.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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