The Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers go head-to-head in an enticing inter-league duel! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Rangers-Dodgers prediction and pick.

Rangers-Dodgers Projected Starters 

Rangers vs. Dodgers

Jon Gray (2-2) with a 2.12 ERA …

Last Start: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K's

2024 Road Splits: 25.2 IP, 0-1, 2.10 ERA

Walker Buehler (1-3) with a 4.82 ERA …

Last Start: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's

2024 Home Splits: 16.0 IP, 1-1. 3.38 ERA

Surprisingly enough, the defending World Series champs are four games under .500 at 31-35 overall. Most recently, Texas has gone down in defeat in two of their last three games including coming out on the wrong side of a 15-2 blowout against Los Angeles. Still, the Rangers sit in second-place of a rather weak AL West division and remain 6.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the top spot.

What can't this team do? Over the course of the past decade-plus, the Dodgers have been the perfect example of prolonged success. Indeed, the same can be said about this year's version of the Dodgers as it is Los Angeles that already holds a commanding lead in the NL West. With a 42-26 record, the Dodgers lead the division by 7.5 games.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Rangers-Dodgers Odds

Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-126)

Moneyline: +154

Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+105)

Moneyline: -184

Over: 8.5 (-105)

Under: 8.5 (-115)

How to Watch Rangers vs. Dodgers

Time: 10:10 ET/7:10 PT

TV: MLB.TV

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Rangers Will Cover The Spread/Win

The odds may be stacked against them, but there is absolutely no reason why the Rangers can't at least be competitive in this game. Clearly, it hasn't been the type of season that the Rangers would've liked, but don't count Texas out. Indeed, even the craziest things can happen in the magical sport of baseball.

Regardless of the struggles, the team's best chance to cover the spread will happen to fall on the shoulders of Mr. Jon Gray. Believe it or not, but Gray has become a staple among the Texas starting staff. During the season, Gray has sparkled his way to a 2.12 ERA and has been absolutely automatic. If the Rangers are going to pull this off, then look no further than Gray to deliver in a big way.

Above all else, the biggest question mark remains with the bats. Can they do enough to hang with the high octane Dodgers offense? Not only are the Rangers struggling with performance, but they also were dealt with a major blow as shortstop Corey Seager will be out of the lineup due to a hamstring ailment. If all else fails, side with outfielder Adolis Garcia to come up clutch at the plate. Although the 31-year-old is slashing a porous .214 batting average, he still has belted 13 homers and boasts a team-leading 40 RBIs.

Why The Dodgers Will Cover The Spread/Win

Another year, another successful Dodgers season. Just like clockwork.

In order to continue their red-hot torrid pace, Los Angeles will most likely plan on making life difficult for Texas in the runs department. Without a doubt, the bats have been warm of late as the Dodgers have registered 15 doubles and nine home runs during the course of the last seven days. Not to mention, but the offense has scored the most runs and have the top on-base percentage in all off baseball. Obviously enough, the LA offense should serve as the golden ticket to covering the spread.

Shockingly enough, it may end up being the pitching arms that will be an area of concern. Usually, the Dodgers are an elite bunch in this category, but they have accumulated a lackluster 4.60 ERA in the last handful of outings. Even more so, starter Walker Buehler is still attempting to regain his form from years' past. After making his season debut on May 6th following a lengthy Tommy John surgery recovery, it has been Buehler who is only 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA. If the Dodgers are going to take that next step as bonafide contenders, then they need Buehler to be at his best. Surely, this could very well come at the dispense of the Texas Rangers.

Final Rangers-Dodgers Prediction & Pick

Before the season started, these two teams certainly had the makings of possibly squaring off come October in the World Series. However, with the Rangers season-long struggles more than 65 games into the season, they have become hard to trust at this given time. With being said, it is most likely wise to rely on the Dodgers to take care of business at home.

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Final Rangers-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+105)