Rangers vs. Rays Prediction
Which struggling team will come away with a rare victory today when the Tampa Bay Rays play host to the Texas Rangers at 7:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
917 Texas Rangers at 918 Tampa Bay Rays
Monday, April 16, 2018
7:10PM ET, Tropicana Field
TV: SUN; FSSW
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Rays are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -165 to win tonight. The Rangers have odds of +155 on the road. Currently, 61% of the wagers are going on the Rangers on the road today. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Texas struggling, but winning on the road
The Rangers are just 6-11 to start the season, but the Rangers have managed a winning record on the road thus far at 4-3. Texas is coming off back-to-back upsets over the Astros in Houston. The Rangers average just 3.24 runs per game while allowing 5.06 per contest.
Martin Perez is making the start for the Rangers today. He has struggled a lot through two starts. He is coming off an 8-run effort over three innings against the Angels. On the season, he has an 11.88 ERA with a 2.76 WHIP with four walks and three strikeouts.
Rays can’t get on track
Since winning back-to-back games for the first time this season last week, the Rays have now lost four straight. They are coming off being swept at home by the Phillies. That dropped Tampa back to 3-12 on the season and 1-6 at home. The Rays average just 3.20 runs per game while allowing 5.40 per contest.
Blake Snell has started three games this season and he get the start tonight. He is 1-1 on the season with a 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He has given up 10 walks with 17 strikeouts through 15 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Texas
The Rangers have won 10 of Perez’ last 13 starts and five of his last six starts on the road. Texas also is 6-2 in their last eight games against a left-handed start.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are just 1-10 in their last 11 games following a loss and 7-19 in their last 26 Monday games. They also have lost five of Snell’s last six home games against a team with a losing record.
Prediction:
Tampa Bay is favored because Snell seems to be the better of the two pitchers. However, I just don’t like the Tampa hitters. Perez doesn’t have good numbers, but most of the damage comes from being lit up by the Yankees. I think he can contend with the Rays’ lineup today. Texas has a little momentum right now and I will take them as the underdog.
The Pick: Texas Rangers +155