The Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays meet in MLB action from Tropicana Field on Friday. Let’s dive into the odds, starting pitching matchup, history and make a prediction for this game.
Odds
Tampa Bay is a -170 home favorite while Texas is a +150 road underdog. The total for this game is set at 8 runs.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Andrew Heaney will start for the Rangers and is 4-3 with a 4.03 ERA and 60 strikeouts this season. Tyler Glasnow will start for the Rays and is 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 14 strikeouts this season.
Matchup History
Tampa Bay’s 5-3 win back on September 18th, 2022, made it back-to-back wins for the Rays in this head-to-head matchup.
Trends
Texas is 6-2 in their last 8 road games and 36-17 in their last 53 games overall while the under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games overall. Tampa Bay is 44-13 in their last 57 home games and 45-19 in their last 64 games overall while the over is 5-1 in their last 6 games against a team with a left-handed starter.
Pick
I’m taking the Rangers here. I think it’s just where the value is as Andrew Heaney’s been a solid mid-rotation arm and he’s likely going to have to take a step forward with deGrom now out for the year. Glasnow’s getting this price on name brand and because of his reputation as the Rays’ staff ace, but I think he’s still getting acclimated to being back on the mound regularly and I think the Rangers, who have been arguably one of the hottest teams in baseball, can get to him here. Give me the Rangers.
