The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays clash Tuesday in game 1 of the AL Wild Card playoffs at Tropicana Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Texas Rangers Betting Preview

The Rangers are in the postseason for the first time since 2016 and have won 90 or more games for the ninth time in franchise history. The Rangers have been hit or miss in the second half of the season and enter the playoffs with losses in 4 of their last 6 games. The Rangers are here because of their offense that’s third in runs per game, second in batting average, third in OPS and third in homers. Marcus Semien leads the Rangers with 185 hits and 100 RBI, while Nathaniel Lowe and Corey Seager have combined for 319 hits and 178 RBI. Jordan Montgomery gets the ball, and he was 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA and 166 strikeouts this season. Montgomery is 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 7 strikeouts in his postseason career. 

Texas Rangers Team Facts

The Rangers have won each of their last four games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
The Rangers have covered the run line each of their last seven games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
The Rangers have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against AL East opponents.
The Rangers have led after 7 innings in each of their last nine games against AL East opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five games as underdogs.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays are in the postseason for a fifth straight season, and their 99 wins are the second most in franchise history. The Rays 53 wins at home were tied with the Dodgers for the most in MLB this season. The Rays are one of the more balanced teams in baseball, and their pitching staff had the best WHIP in the league. Offensively, Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 173 hits and 78 RBI, while Randy Arozarena and Josh Lowe have combined 276 hits and 166 RBI. Tyler Glasnow gets the ball, and he was 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts this season. Glasnow is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA and 53 strikeouts in his postseason career.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

The Rays have lost each of their last three games as home favorites against American League opponents following a win.
The road team has covered the run line in nine of the Rays’ last 10 games.
The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five playoff games as favorites against AL West opponents.
The Rays have won the first inning in each of their last five day games against opponents that held a winning record.
The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Tampa Bay Rays rank 2nd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.231).
The Tampa Bay Rays rank 2nd in the league for hits allowed this season (1259).
The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1470).
The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for doubles this season (326).

Randy’s Pick

The Rays are going to be favored at home for obvious reasons. The Rays not only had the most home wins, but they also had the second-best record overall in the AL. If it weren’t for the Orioles losing their mind, the Rays wouldn’t even be playing in wild card week. With that said, the Rangers are a dangerous matchup because of their high-powered offense. Also, let’s not act like Tyler Glasnow has been great in postseason play, as he’s given up 37 hits and 26 runs in 40.2 postseason innings with 20 walks and 10 homers allowed. Even without knowing the Rangers starting pitcher, the value to me is with the Rangers and the plus money.