Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 07/18/2023

Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Venue:  Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

Where to Watch:  BSSW

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Rangers -140; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Rangers -140; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Rangers -140; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Tampa Bay Rays:  60-36 (1st place, AL East)

Texas Rangers:  55-39 (1st place, AL West)

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Tampa Bay Rays:  3-7 last 10

Texas Rangers:  5-5 last 10

The Rays are entering this series off of a loss but won their 3-game series against the Kansas City Royals 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 60-36 record overall and have a road record of 25-21. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Tuesday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 3rd in the MLB with a .783 OPS. Shane McClanahan is their starting pitcher on Monday while rookie pitcher Taj Bradley is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 5-5 with a 5.43 ERA this season. His team lost their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 1 HR, and 2 BB with 4 Ks on 5 hits through 5 IP against the Atlanta Braves.

The Rangers are entering this series on a 3 game winning streak and completed the sweep 3-0 in their 3-game series against the Cleveland Guardians in their last series. They enter this game with a 55-39 record overall and have a home record of 30-18. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Tuesday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .805 OPS. Dane Dunning is their starting pitcher on Monday while Nathan Eovaldi is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA this season. His team lost 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 0 homers, and 4 BB with 3 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5.1 innings played against the Boston Red Sox.

The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers have been rolling all season just like the Rays have been but lately the Rays haven't been at their best and have been slipping down a bit as the Orioles are now within striking range. The Rangers have been playing a lot better in their games lately though and they look to be surging once again as they try to keep their lead in the AL West. The Rangers and the Rays both have 2 of the best offenses in the league too but lately the Rangers offense has been a lot better than the Rays offense has been. The Rangers have also been a great home team all season while the Rays have struggled a lot in road games with a majority of their losses this season coming in road games. The Rays also have their rookie Bradley on the mound here and he hasn't been great this season as he has been starting to give up more runs in his starts now, especially in his road starts. Meanwhile, the Rangers have Eovaldi starting here and he has been the best starter in their rotation all season with the way he has been pitching. Eovaldi will not have any trouble trying to shut the Rays down at home here and he will also be familiar with this lineup from his years on the Red Sox. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.

Rays Rangers Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, July 18, 2023 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Rangers 7 Rays 4.

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Tampa Bay Rays: 43-41 (-11.3 units) on the moneyline against AL West opponents. 36-42 (-12 units) on the moneyline on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5. 11-5 OVER as an underdog of +100 or higher. 11-5 OVER against AL West opponents.

Texas Rangers: 55-39 (+7.7 units) on the moneyline in all games. 33-19 (+12.5 units) on the moneyline when the total is 7 to 8.5. 26-12 OVER when the total is 8 to 8.5. 22-12 OVER as a home favorite of -110 or higher.

Tampa Bay Rays:  S. McClanahan (SP) Prob Mon - Back. Y. Diaz (3B) Out indefinitely - Personal. D. Rasmussen (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Fleming (SP) Late July - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Early Aug - Elbow. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow.

Texas Rangers:  J. Sborz (RP) Out indefinitely - Bicep. J. deGrom (SP) out for season - Elbow. J. Odorizzi (SP) out for season - Shoulder. B. Martin (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.

“That’s vintage sinkerballer. You’re relying on the late movement to get the ball on the ground and that’s what happened. He just had some extra movement on it today that made it a little challenging for us.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Royals in their game on Sunday.

“I finally contributed. To do that twice in the series to start the second half just gives us kind of that momentum going forward.” - Josh Jung after their win against the Guardians in their game on Sunday.

Brandon Lowe (L) 2B

Wander Franco (S) SS

Randy Arozarena (R) LF

Luke Raley (L) DH

Josh Lowe (L) RF

Isaac Paredes (R) 3B

Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B

Manuel Margot (R) CF

Francisco Mejia (S) C

Marcus Semien (R) 2B

Corey Seager (L) SS

Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B

Adolis Garcia (R) RF

Josh Jung (R) 3B

Jonah Heim (S) C

Travis Jankowski (L) LF

Ezequiel Duran (R) DH

Leody Taveras (S) CF

Batting Average:  Yandy Diaz (.323)

Hits:  Wander Franco (98)

Home Runs:  Jose Siri (18)

RBI:  Randy Arozarena (59)

Stolen Bases:  Wander Franco (28)

Wins:  Shane McClanahan (11)

Saves:  Jason Adam (11)

ERA:  Chase Anderson (0.00)

Batting Average:  Corey Seager (.355)

Hits:  Marcus Semien (107)

Home Runs:  Adolis Garcia (24)

RBI:  Adolis Garcia (80)

Stolen Bases:  Travis Jankowski (13)

Wins:  Nathan Eovaldi (10)

Saves:  Will Smith (16)

ERA:  Aroldis Chapman (0.00)

Managers:

Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)

Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (1st season)