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Anyone interested in some inter-league action on this Fourth of July weekend? The Texas Rangers will seek vengeance in game two of this series while the New York Mets try for back-to-back wins. It is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Rangers-Mets prediction and pick will be made.
Mets manager Buck Showalter will attempt to win his 1,600th game as an MLB manager as New York will try to have a repeat of their 4-3 victory on Friday. On track for the start for New York will be righty Trevor Williams, who has pitched averagely in 2022 with a 1-4 record and a 3.64 ERA.
Unlike the Mets, the Rangers haven't been so lucky in the sense of their play translating into wins, but this is still a scrappy bunch that can beat anyone they face off with. Texas is only three games under .500 and with a whole half of the season still on tap, this is a team that could get hot down the stretch and sneak into the playoff discussion. On the mound for the Rangers in this one will be their ace in southpaw Martin Perez, who is having a fantastic season with a 6-2 record and a 2.22 ERA in 15 starts.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rangers-Mets MLB odds.
MLB odds: Rangers-Mets Odds
Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-182)
New York Mets: -1.5 (+150)
Over: 9 (-102)
Under: 9 (-120)
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Why The Rangers Could Cover the Spread
Prior to dropping the last two contests, the Rangers had won five of seven matchups to slowly but surely inch their way back to the .500 mark. While they have yet to put themselves in a position of having a winning record, Texas sits in second place in the AL West and is four games behind a wild card slot in the American League.
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After signing a humongous $175 million dollar contract for seven years with Texas this last offseason, shortstop/second baseman Marcus Semien is only slashing .235 in 298 at-bats on the season but his starting to heat up in big ways for the Rangers. Over his past three games, Semien has been Texas' most dangerous hitter of late by going 6-12 with four extra-base hits and tacking on five RBIs to go along with his resurgence in the power department.
Combining Semien's recent flourish at the plate with the successful seasons of right-fielder Adolis Garcia and shortstop Corey Seager makes this Rangers lineup much more lethal when pitted against opposing pitching. As a whole, Texas is ranked 18th in the league in runs scored and 17th in slugging percentage.
On the bump, Texas sports a not too shabby 3.92 ERA and has the ability to shut down even the best of lineups. The expected starter in Perez may have the biggest say in covering the spread for the Rangers, as he has been quite dominant versus the Mets in his career with a 2-0 record and a 3.18 ERA in five total appearances.
Why The Mets Could Cover the Spread
While their division lead is not as commanding as it once was, the Mets can certainly feel the Atlanta Braves breathing down their backs. Leading the Braves by 3.5 games in the NL East, each game from here on out may have major playoff implications moving forward. Expectations are still being exceeded in Queens, as it was not too long ago that the Mets were coming off a disappointing 2o21 campaign where they finished below .500 at 77-85 and in third place in the NL East. Now the “Kings of the Hill” at 48-29, New York possesses one of the best overall records in the National League and it seems like they aren't finished quite yet. \
With a 25-12 record in front of their home fans at Citi Field, the Mets were able to snap out of their three-game skid by getting huge contributions from hitters who have been slumping. Outfielder Mark Canha and middle infielder Eduardo Escobar were in a combined 1-29 funk before Canha smoked an RBI single in the fourth while Escobar sent a towering three-run shot into the upper deck of right field to get off the schneid. While these two players are far from being the Mets' best options at the plate, their occasional contribution will prove to be huge in the long run and more specifically in this game against the Rangers.
Yet to face the Rangers in his career, Trevor Williams has the arsenal to be a serviceable big-league pitcher and will be key for the Mets on Saturday. Williams has only surrendered four runs in his last nine innings pitched and while he has yet to pitch super deep into ballgames, he is a steady option for New York.
Final Rangers-Mets Prediction & Pick
On paper, the Mets are the more well-rounded team, but with Perez on track for the start, New York's runs may come in limited fashion. Going out on the road in Queens and earning a win is no easy task, but expect the Rangers to give the Mets their best shot.
Final Rangers-Mets Pick: Rangers +1.5 (-182)
