The Texas Rangers (51-55) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (54-51) Monday in the opener of a 3-Game set at Busch Stadium at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rangers won 2-1 last season
The Rangers were swept in a 3-Game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. The Rangers have said they’re not willing to sell as we’re 1 day from the trade deadline. They sit 4½ out in the AL West and 6 out of a Wild Card. Could a loss Monday change this team’s course? SS Corey Seager has been raking, going 11-for-22 (.500) over the last 5 Games.
The Cards got a walkoff win Sunday when 1B Paul Goldschmidt sent the crowd home happy. But, let’s not sugarcoat it. They blew Friday’s Game against the selling Washington Nationals and got blown out 14-3 Saturday. They’ve lost 3 of 4 since giving Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Paul Skenes his first MLB loss. They’re now 1 Game out of a Wild Card slot and 6 out in the division.
Rangers at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Andre Pallante
Eovaldi (7-4, 3.31 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.04 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 through 106 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB and 10 K in 10-2 home victory Wednesday against Chicago White Sox
- Four career starts vs. St. Louis (none since 2014): 0-2, 3.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 11 K in 23 2/3 IP
Pallante (4-4, 3.92 ERA) makes his 10th start and 19th appearance. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 57 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 2-1 loss July 22 at Pirates
- Last 7 starts: 3-2, 2.82 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 33 K in 38 1/3 IP
- One career appearance against Texas: 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 K in relief appearance of 4-3 road loss June 5, 2023
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.
Rangers at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:03 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cardinals -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+145) | Cardinals +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rangers at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Cardinals 3
Moneyline
I’m siding with the Rangers here behind Eovaldi’s right arm. He has a 3.52 ERA over his last 7 GS, but 11 of his 18 ER came in 2 of those starts. The Cards’ starting pitching and bullpen is starting to implode, as they gave up 27 runs to a weak Washington offense in a pitchers’ park over the weekend.
Take the RANGERS -115.
Run line/Against the spread
I’m rolling with NATHAN EOVALDI OVER 18.5 OUTS (+150). He’ll need to go at least 6 2/3 IP to cash it, but he has gone 7 IP in 5 of his last 6 starts. He also hasn’t walked anyone in 5 straight starts. For the upside at +150, sign me up.
Over/Under
It’s slated to be 92 degrees with a 7-mph wind blowing in from right-center. The Rangers are 6-4 O/U in their last 10, and the Cards are 4-6. The Over is 0-8-2 in this matchup over the last 10 meetings.
I like the UNDER 8.5 (-110).
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