The Texas Rangers (59-69) and the Cleveland Guardians (73-54) open a 3-Game series Friday. First pitch from Progressive Field is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 2-1
The defending world champ Rangers took 2 of 3 Games from the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday through Wednesday, and now look for a 2nd straight series win. While Texas is 3-1 in the past 4 Games, it is just 5-10 in the previous 15 contests.
The Rangers are a dismal 3-9 in the past 12 road contests, and Texas hasn’t won a road series since topping the rival Houston Astros in 2 of 3 games from July 12-14.
The total has gone low for Texas in the past 3 games, while going 6-1 across the past 7 outings.
For the Guardians, they managed just a single hit in a 6-0 setback against the New York Yankees on Thursday. Cleveland has managed just a single run, while getting outscored 14-1 in the past 2 outings after winning the series opener 9-5.
The Under is 3-2 in the past 5 outings for the Guardians, while going 8-5-1 in the past 14 contests.
Rangers at Guardians projected starters
RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Tanner Bibee
Eovaldi (8-7, 3.76 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 127 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H (1 HR), 0 BB, 6 K in 5-2 home setback vs. Minnesota Twins last Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 2-4, 4.87 ERA (44 1/3 IP, 24 ER), 1.49 WHIP, .286 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 16 BB, 40 K in 8 starts
- Career vs. Guardians: 3-2, 3.83 ERA (42 1/3 IP, 18 ER), 1.35 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 9 appearances (6 starts)
Bibee (10-5, 3.33 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 132 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 7 K in 2-1 road setback vs. Milwaukee Brewers last Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 4-2, 3.99 ERA (58 2/3 IP, 26 ER), 1.13 WHIP, .226 OBA, 6 HR, 16 BB, 66 K in 11 starts
- Career vs. Guardians: 0-0, 1.62 ERA (16 2/3 IP, 3 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 in 3 starts
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Rangers at Guardians odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +114 (bet $100 to win $114) | Guardians -134 (bet $134 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-200) | Guardians -1.5 (+164)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rangers at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 4, Rangers 3
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-134) are a solid play as moderate favorites at home in the series opener.
The Rangers (+114) have struggled recently, picking up just 3 victories in the past 12 road contests. Texas won the World Series last season, but this has been a miserable campaign. Cleveland is a lot like Texas last season, coming out of nowhere to contend.
Run line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return if you would like a little insurance, and you just cannot play them straight up.
The Guardians -1.5 (+164) can’t be trusted, either, as they’ve played just a single run in the past 2 Games, while scoring 1 or no runs in 4 of the past 5 outings.
PASS.
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Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-110) is a solid play in the series opener, but play a half-unit play at most.
Again, the Guardians have scored 1 or no runs in 4 of the past 5 outings, and the Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games at home for Cleveland.
For the Rangers, the Under has cashed in 3 in a row, and 6 of the past 7 contests.
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