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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.
Jeffrey Springs gets the ball for the Rays, while Jon Gray goes to the bump for the Rangers.
Jeffrey Springs has a 1.62 ERA. He was a short reliever in April, typically making one-inning appearances with an occasional two-inning stint. In May, he has moved to a spot starter, going four to six innings in recent outings. In his relief-oriented April, Springs pitched 9 2/3 innings and gave up one run. In May, he pitched 23 2/3 innings and gave up five runs. He has had only one really bad outing this season, a four-inning, three-run game against the Angels on May 9. In every other appearance, relief or starting, he has given the Rays what they have needed this season. That’s very impressive, and a good reason to recommend Tampa Bay in a Rays Rangers prediction.
Jon Gray has a 5.56 ERA. He has allowed at least three runs in five of his seven starts this season, at least two runs in six of his seven starts. He simply doesn’t have the consistency needed to be a top-tier pitcher. He has issued 13 walks in 34 innings, which is far too many walks. He doesn’t give up a ton of home runs, but he allows a lot of baserunners and doesn’t get on top of his innings. He is not the horse you want to ride when making a Rays Rangers pick based on the current MLB odds.
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: 7 (-124)
Under: 7 (+102)
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Why The Rays Could Cover the Spread
This game sets up really well for Tampa Bay. The Rays just lost two straight games to the Rangers. They just got dominated by American League Cy Young Award contender Martin Perez. Their bats have been struggling for several games. This feels like a breakout game for the Rays’ bats, but even if the bats don’t have a great night, the Rays are still trying to avoid a three-game losing streak to the Rangers. The odds would suggest it’s very likely that the Rays won’t lose three straight to Texas, even though nearly anything is possible in baseball. The Rays do figure to play this game with great urgency and focus. They are a better team than Texas, so after two nights of losing to the Rangers, they should show up here.
Why The Rangers Could Cover the Spread
The Rangers are a steadily improving club. They have hit the .500 mark. Marcus Semien is hitting the ball hard at long last, and things are really looking up for a team which is very much in the American League wild card conversation. A confident team playing at home against a reliever-turned-spot-starter? That’s a scenario this team should relish.
Final Rays-Rangers Prediction & Pick
If the Rays lose three straight to the Rangers, it will be a surprise. If the Rays win, it will be expected. If you want to make a bet, go with the proven team and the more likely scenario. When a good team loses twice in a row to an inferior team, that third game is often a great spot to make a pick and hit a winner.
Final Rays-Rangers Prediction & Pick: Rays -1.5