In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, September 5th at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers are 70-72 this year after they split the first two games by scores of 6-0 and 6-7. In game two, Texas led 1-0 in the second inning, but didn’t score again until the seventh in the close loss. The Rangers recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 1-3 with one home run and five RBIs. Williams opened the game, while Rocker allowed five earned runs for the loss. Prior to this series, Texas won two out of three against the Athletics, but lost two out of three against the Brewers before that.
This season, Texas has a 4.29 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .249 opponent batting average, while they have scored 584 runs with a .243 batting average and a .318 on base percentage. Jake Burger has led the Rangers with 23 home runs and 79 RBIs, while Ezequiel Duran has added 17 home runs and 77 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Texas is Jacob deGrom, who is 10-9 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 137.1 innings pitched this year.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 84-57 this season after they won game two by a score of 7-6 last night. Tampa Bay scored six straight runs in the middle innings, but nearly blew the game in the ninth in the win. The Rays recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Aranda, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Martinez allowed five hits and three earned runs over 6.1 innings for the win, while Wells picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost two out of three against the Mets, but did sweep the Padres in three games before that.
This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.81 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while they have scored 635 runs with a .260 batting average and a .328 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 37 home runs and 90 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Drew Rasmussen, who is 14-5 with a 2.95 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 146.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last 11 games following a home loss.
- The Rays have lost 10 of their last 11 games at Globe Life Field.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last nine games against the Rays following a loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against the Rangers following a win.
- The Rangers have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games against the Rays at Globe Life Field.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last seven games against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Rangers have lost five of their last six night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last six games against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six night games against opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Rangers’ last eight games against AL opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Rays’ last seven road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Rays’ last seven Saturday games against AL opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in five of the last six games between the Rays and Rangers.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Ezequiel Duran has hit a home run in two of the Rangers’ last three games.
- Jacob deGrom has recorded six or more strikeouts in 18 of his last 20 home appearances.
- Ezequiel Duran has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rangers’ last six games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Jacob deGrom has recorded a win in each of his last three home appearances.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Richie Palacios has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three games.
- Liam Hicks has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances after playing the previous day.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded a win in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 3rd in the league in Hits (162) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rangers rank 27th in the league for steals this season (66).
- The Rangers rank 25th in the league for runs scored this season (578).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for batting average this season (.260).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (976).
Rangers vs Rays Prediction
Texas comes into this matchup after winning three of their last five games and they have scored 6+ runs in four of those five. The Rangers are 39-31 at home this year, while the Rays are 37-32 on the road. Tampa Bay has dropped three of their last five games and they have allowed 6+ runs in three straight. The Rays are starting Rasmussen, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, while deGrom has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. This is a great pitching matchup, but I will side with Rasmussen and the Rays.