Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction 4-26-24 Picks

The Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers meet Friday in MLB game 1 action at Globe Life Field. Here’s a Cincinnati Reds vs Texas Rangers prediction.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 14-11 on the season after wins over the Angels and Phillies. The Cincinnati Reds have scored 15 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 4 of their last 8 games. The Cincinnati Reds have won 5 straight games when scoring at least 1 run. Elly De La Cruz leads the Cincinnati Reds with 26 hits and 18 RBI, while Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand have combined for 42 hits and 35 RBI.

Texas Rangers Betting Preview

The Texas Rangers look to get above a .500 record after losses to the Braves and Mariners. The Texas Rangers have scored 8 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 4 of their last 8 games. The Texas Rangers have won 4 straight games when scoring 4 or more runs. Adolis Garcia leads the Texas Rangers with 29 hits and 23 RBI while Marcus Semien and Wyatt Langford have combined for 52 hits and 28 RBI.

Cincinnati Reds vs Texas Rangers Pitching Matchup

Graham Ashcraft gets the ball for the Cincinnati Reds, and he is 3-1 with a 5.24 ERA and 23 strikeouts this season. Ashcraft is making his 50th career start, and he’s been rough through 22.1 innings this season. Ashcraft has allowed 23 hits and 13 earned runs in 22.1 innings, while walking 7. This will be Ashcraft’s second career game against the Texas Rangers.

Nathan Eovaldi gets the ball for the Texas Rangers, and he is 1-2 with a 3.30 ERA and 28 strikeouts this season. Eovaldi is coming off a start against the Braves where he walked 6, but he’s been strong overall through 30 innings. Eovaldi has 25 strikeouts in his last 24 innings. Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 19 strikeouts in his career against the Cincinnati Reds.

Texas Rangers Team Facts

• The underdogs have won five of the last six games between the Reds and Rangers.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against National League opponents.
• The Rangers have lost the first inning in each of their last four games.
• The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five home games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Team Facts

• The Reds have won each of their last four games as underdogs against AL West opponents following a home loss.
• The favorites have covered the run line in 12 of the Reds’ last 13 games.
• The Reds have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last five Friday games.

Cincinnati Reds vs Texas Rangers prediction

The Reds have the offense to steal this game, but I want nothing to do with Ashcraft and his struggles. Ashcraft has been a mess through is first 49 starts, and this Rangers’ offense isn’t where he’s going to turn things around. Eovaldi is an all star caliber pitcher and while he had issues with control in his last game, he’s been able to limit the damage up to this point. The Rangers are at home with the starting pitching edge. I’ll side with the Rangers to draw first blood in this series.