The Tampa Bay Rays (44-45) and Texas Rangers (41-48) wrap up a 3-Game series Sunday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 4-1
The Rays were blanked 3-0 in Friday’s series opener in Arlington, and they suffered a 4-3 setback Saturday. The Under has cashed in each of the 2 outings in this series while going 5-1 in the past 6 games for Tampa Bay.
For the Rangers, they’ve posted 4 wins in the past 6 games, including a pair of shutout victories. The Under has cashed in 3 straight outings, all at home. Texas pitching has allowed 3 or fewer runs in 3 straight games and 5 of the previous 6 contests.
Rays at Rangers projected starters
RHP Zach Littell vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Littell (3-5, 3.94 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 91 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 5-1 road victory vs. Kansas City Royals Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: 1-2, 4.46 ERA (38 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.62 WHIP, .325 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 8 BB, 31 K in 8 starts
- Career vs. Rangers: 0-1, 2.31 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 3 ER), 1.29 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 2 starts and 5 relief appearances
Eovaldi (5-3, 3.15 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 80 IP.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 7-0 home victory vs. San Diego Padres Tuesday
- 2024 home splits: 4-0, 1.92 ERA (51 2/3 IP, 11 ER), 0.81 WHIP, .166 OBA, 12 BB, 53 K in 9 starts
- Career vs. Rays: 8-6, 3.60 ERA (95 IP, 38 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 16 starts and 2 relief appearances (1 CG)
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Rangers -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-175) | Rangers -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rays at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Rays 3
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-140) are a solid play as moderate favorites as they look to complete the sweep behind the veteran Eovaldi.
While Eovaldi has been shaky away from home, he has a 4-0 record and 1.92 ERA in 51 2/3 IP across 9 starts at Globe Life Field. He and the Rangers should be able to continue their winning ways against the struggling Rays (+115) in this series finale.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’d like a little insurance but can’t bet them straight up, the RAYS +1.5 (-175) aren’t a terrible play for the more conservative bettor.
Tampa Bay has not only covered the past 3 on the run line as an underdog, but it has won 2 of the games outright. It is also 11-1 in the past 12 on the run line as a ‘dog.
The Rangers -1.5 (+145) are also just 5-5 in the past 10 games on the run line when favored.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under is 5-3-2 in the past 10 starts by Eovaldi while cashing in each of the past 3 contests for the Rangers, including the first 2 of this series.
The total has gone low in 5 of the past 6 games for Tampa Bay, too, while going 8-3-2 across the previous 13 outings.
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