Cleveland Guardians vs. Texas Rangers: Odds, Prediction
Friday’s MLB menu is loaded with all 30 teams in action, making up a 15-game slate. One of these matchups will include a game in the American League between the Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers in Arlington at 8:05 PM ET on Apple TV.
My article will preview this non-divisional American League contest by providing you with an overview of the betting odds, a brief look at both teams and my best bet for the game.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
When looking at the betting odds for this matchup, we can immediately see that the Cleveland Guardians are the favourites. They are not overwhelming favourites, but they do carry money line odds of -146, while the Rangers are +124 to pull off the upset. In terms of the run line, the Guardians are -1.5 (+120), while the Rangers are +1.5 (-144).
The total has been set at 7.5, and you can bet on the over at +100 or the under at -122. As far as trends go, the under is 11-5 in the last 16 games played in June for the Guardians, and they are 10-2 in their last 12 road games.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians enter this game with a record of 36-28 and are in first place in the AL Central. Cleveland just concluded a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday, taking two out of three games.
Looking ahead to this series against the Rangers, the Guardians are scheduled to start Parker Messick in Game 1. Messick has easily been one of the Guardians most consistent starters this season, posting a record of 6-1 and an ERA of 2.21.
Further, Messick has been at his best when pitching on the road, having allowed seven runs (six earned) over 28.1 innings in five starts along with a 1.91 ERA.
Texas Rangers
As for the Rangers, they enter this game with a record of 30-32 and are sitting in third place in the AL West. Texas had an off day on Thursday, but most recently won two out of three against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Starting Game 1 for the Rangers will be Kumar Rocker, who has a record of 2-5 and an ERA of 3.54. While his away starts have not been consistent, Rocker has an ERA of 2.95 in seven home starts, surrendering 12 earned runs over 36.2 innings.
Who Will Win Guardians vs. Rangers?
The Guardians have been set as a moderate favourite, and for good reason, but the under looks to be the best betting option. This goes back to the starters from both teams, who have excelled when pitching at home and on the road respectively.
Cleveland averages 4.17 runs per game, which ranks 21st in the league, while allowing 4.09 – which ranks 9th. Texas, on the other hand, averages 4.02 runs per game (25th) while allowing 3.87 (6th). Both teams have seen the total go over in several of their recent games, but given their inconsistent offences and solid pitching as a whole, our best bet is under 7.5 runs in what figures to be a 4-2 Guardians win.
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