The Texas Rangers (40-21) begin a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (46-19) on Friday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; the Rays went 4-3 against the Rangers in 2022
The Rangers had a 5-game win streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday. Texas is currently 5 games ahead of the Houston Astros for 1st place in the AL West.
The Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Thursday to give them 6 wins in a row. Tampa Bay possesses a 6 1/2 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles atop the AL East.
Rangers at Rays projected starters
LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow
Heaney (4-3, 4.03 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 58 IP.
- Has walked 2 or more batters in 9 of his first 11 outings
- Career vs. Rays: 0-3, 3.67 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 across 5 starts
Glasnow (0-0, 3.72 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 13.0 K/9 through 9 2/3 IP.
- Has tallied 6-plus K’s in each of his first 2 contests
- Could see 90-plus pitches on Friday after tossing 83 and 88 pitches in his first 2 turns
Rangers at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Rays -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-155) | Rays -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rangers at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Rangers 4
Moneyline
The RAYS (-160) are the pick in Friday’s matchup considering how they’ve played at home this season. Tampa Bay is 29-6 at home this season and is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings with Texas.
Run line/Against the spread
RANGERS +1.5 (-155) is the pick in this game as I believe Texas can keep this game within a single run. The Rangers and Rays are among the best teams in baseball right now, and it should be a competitive contest at Tropicana Field.
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Over/Under
OVER 8 (-110) is the lean in this showdown with how well these teams hit. The Rangers boast the 2nd-best wOBA (.341) and wRC+ (119) against right-handed pitching this season.
Meanwhile, the Rays are recording a league-best wOBA (.391) and wRC+ (159) against southpaws this season.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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