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The Tampa Bay Rays take on the Texas Rangers. Check out our MLB odds series for our Rays Rangers prediction and pick.
Drew Rasmussen gets the assignment for the Rays, while Glenn Otto takes the rubber for the Rangers.
Drew Rasmussen has been outstanding for the Rays this year, posting a 2.68 ERA in nine starts. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any start this season. He has allowed more than one run only once in his last six starts. Rasmussen has allowed just three home runs and 10 walks in 43 2/3 innings. He doesn't give up big bombs or free bases, two essentials of elite pitching. He is a key reason the Rays are in position to get a wild card spot, and a good reason to lean to Tampa Bay in a Rays Rangers prediction based on the current MLB odds.
Glenn Otto has a 4.91 ERA, but that is the product of one awful start: eight runs in four innings against Boston on May 14. In his other five starts, he hasn't allowed more than two runs. He has given Texas a competent starter and is part of the reason this team is not far below .500, which means it still has a real chance to enter the conversation for the American League wild card chase. One big point of concern for Otto, however: 15 walks in 29 1/3 innings pitched. That's way too many walks, and he's lucky he hasn't been burned more often by free passes. As we get into the middle third of the season and the dog days of summer, Otto has to be able to improve in certain areas so that he doesn't regress and can remain a good reason to take Texas in a betting pick. He needs to reduce walks to improve the odds for his team in a Rays Rangers pick.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rays-Rangers MLB odds.
MLB Odds: Rays-Rangers Odds
Tampa Bay Rays: -1.5 (+132)
Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-160)
Over: 8 (-120)
Under: 8 (-102)
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Why The Rays Could Cover the Spread
The Rays got shut down by the New York Yankees' pitching staff in the first two games of a four-game weekend series last Thursday and Friday. They lost ground in the American League East even though the Yankees came to St. Petersburg without Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson, who were both unavailable for that series. The Rays were in trouble, and they urgently needed a big response on Saturday and Sunday. They got it, bouncing back with two more strong pitching performances and enough timely offense to beat the Yankees twice and split the four-game series. The Rays were able to punch back against the Yankees. They know they can hang with them. They know they can still respond well to pressure and stress. That will fill the Rays with confidence as they head to Arlington. Drew Rasmussen has been excellent for Tampa Bay this season. He should be able to deliver the goods once again.
Why The Rangers Could Cover the Spread
Marcus Semien, who had been struggling profoundly this season, hit his first home run of 2022 over the weekend in Oakland against the Athletics, one of his former teams. That might get him going. If it does, and if Semien hits the way the Rangers hope he will, Texas instantly becomes a much better team.
Also, the Rays might be emotionally drained from their four-game war with the Yankees and a long flight to Texas for this game.
Final Rays-Rangers Prediction & Pick
This is a stay-away game precisely because the Rays, though obviously the better team, might have a letdown game after their emotional and draining four-game series against the Yankees. If you do insist on making a pick, though, the Rays clearly merit more trust.
Final Rays-Rangers Prediction & Pick: Rays -1.5
