Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 4/16/21
2021-04-16 20:05:00 EDT
The Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers meet Friday in MLB action from Globe Life Field.
Baltimore is coming off a series versus the Mariners this week. After a split in the first pair, in the Thursday doubleheader the Orioles lost both games. As for the Rangers, they played the Rays this week. Texas won two of the first three games there, then on Thursday in the finale the Rangers got a win in extras. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Baltimore fell 4-3 in the first installment of the Tuesday doubleheader, but salvaged a split with a 7-6 win in the nightcap. In Thursday’s doubleheader, Baltimore lost the first installment 4-2. In the afternoon game, it was more of the same with a tough 2-1 loss.
For the Friday starting pitcher role, Baltimore will go with Jorge Lopez. In his two appearances this year, Lopez has a 11.42 ERA with 11 hits, 11 earned runs, three homers, four walks and nine strikeouts in 8.2 total innings.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they lost the Monday game versus the Rays but came back with wins 8-3 Tuesday and 5-1 Wednesday. In the Thursday finale, Texas needed 10 innings to get past Tampa Bay but prevailed in a 6-4 result. Starter Jordan Lyles went 5.1 innings with three earned and four Ks in that one.
For the Friday starter job, the Rangers are turning to Mike Foltynewicz. Over two starts and 11.0 innings of work so far, Foltynewicz has a 4.09 ERA with six hits, five earned runs, three homers, six walks and 10 strikeouts.
The Orioles are 135-283 in their last 418 overall and 66-147 in their last 213 road games. Baltimore is 19-50 in their last 69 versus the AL West and 27-81 in their last 108 in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 4-1 in their last five versus the AL East and 17-36 in the last 53 overall. Texas is 1-4 in their last five Friday games and 16-35 in their last 51 in game one of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Rangers here. Foltynewicz had a shaky outing in his season debut April 5 versus the Blue Jays, going 4.0 innings with four earned, two homers and three walks. He got it going in his second game though: 7.0 innings with one earned (a homer) versus the Padres. If Foltynewicz can keep the ball in the park while he’s out there, the Rangers should be in position for a victory down the stretch.
