In this article, we will formulate a Phillies vs Rangers Prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 8th at the Globe Life Field in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Texas Rangers Preview
The Texas Rangers have a 60-56 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the AL West. The Rangers have a 36-21 home record and are 48-65 in over/under. They are coming off a 2-3 home defeat by the Yankees, which snapped their previous two-game winning streak. They are playing the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays next.
The Rangers have a .232 batting average this season, .301 OBP and .377 slugging percentage. Texas’ pitching staff has a 3.23 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Josh Smith leads the Rangers with 98 hits, and he is the team’s best hitter with a .266 batting average. Adolis Garcia leads the team in RBI, with 63, while Corey Seager leads the team in home runs with 16.
Merrill Kelly (R) is the projected starter for the Rangers, and he has a 9-6 record, 3.22 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.
Philadelphia Phillies Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies have a 65-49 record this season and are sitting on the first place of the NL East. They have a 28-28 road record, and are 50-59 in over/under. They are coming off a 1-5 home defeat by the Orioles, which snapped their previous three-game winning streak. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 games and are playing the Reds and the Nationals next.
The Phillies have a .255 batting average this season, .326 OBP and .417 Slugging percentage. Philly’s pitching staff has a 3.76 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Trea Turner leads the Phillies with 132 hits and in batting average with .284, while Kyle Schwarber leads the team with 94 RBI and a team-high 40 home runs.
Cristopher Sanchez (L) will take the mound for the Phillies, and he has a 10-3 record, 2.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last 10 home games against the Phillies.
- The Phillies have lost each of their last 11 games against the Rangers following a loss.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in 13 of their last 14 games at Globe Life Field.
- The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games against the Rangers following a loss.
- The Rangers have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine home games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rangers have won the first inning in four of their last five games against National League opponents.
- The Rangers have led after 3 innings in 10 of their last 11 games against National League opponents.
Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win
- The Phillies have won each of their last nine games following a home loss.
- The Rangers have lost five of their last six games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games following a home loss.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Phillies’ last four road games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rangers’ last five night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Phillies’ last 10 games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Rangers’ last nine night games against National League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rangers rank 1st in the league for ERA this season (3.23).
- The Rangers rank 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.225).
- The Phillies rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1044).
- The Phillies are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
Phillies vs Rangers Prediction
The Philles have won their last three meetings against the Rangers, but the Rangers have won their seven previous meetings before that. The Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 home meetings against the Phillies, and under is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.
In this Phillies vs Rangers Prediction, the Phillies are coming as -130 road favorites. The Phillies have a better overall record, but they have been mediocre at home, while Texas has been very strong at home. Both pitchers have been very strong this season, with a combined 5.62 ERA, and the Rangers have the second-best bullpen ERA in the league. The Rangers are also much weaker against left-handed pitching, so I don’t except a lot of runs in this game. Take the under 7.5 runs in this one.