Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers, 9/17/18 Prediction & Odds

Rays vs. Rangers Prediction

Can the Tampa Bay Rays keep their playoff chances afloat tonight when they go on the road to face the Texas Rangers at 8:05PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

969 Tampa Bay Rays at 970 Texas Rangers

Monday, September 17, 2018

8:05PM ET – Globe Life Park

TV: SUN (TB); FSSW (Tex)

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Tampa Bay is favored on the road, as the Rays are getting odds of -135 to win. The Rangers are listed with a money line of +125 to win. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 10.5 runs. The public betting for this game currently has 78 percent of the wagers going on Tampa on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Rays still fighting

The Rays are coming off a big series win at home over the Athletics and they have won seven of their last nine games. Tampa Bay is now 82-66 overall and 34-40 on the road. They are 7 games out of the Wild Card race right now with 14 games to play. The Rays are scoring 4.34 runs per game on offense while allowing just 3.91 per contest.

Tyler Glasnow takes the mound for the Rays tonight. He has started eight games on the year while appearing in a total of 42 between Tampa and Pittsburgh. He has a 1-6 record this year with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Glasnow has 115 strikeouts and 46 walks over 94.1 innings of work.

Rangers return home

The Rangers are coming off a 9-game road trip in which they were just 3-6. Texas is now 64-85 overall and 32-43 at home. The Rangers are putting up 4.72 runs per game this year while allowing 5.26 per contest.

The Rangers hand the ball to Adrian Sampson today. He has started just one game and appeared in a total of two this year. He has logged 5.1 innings and has given up three earned runs and six hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

MLB Betting Trends

Tampa

The Rays are 8-1 in their last nine games against AL West opponents and 14-3 in their last 17 Monday games.

Texas

The Rangers have lost five straight against winning teams and are 7-16 in their last 23 home games against a team with a winning record.

Prediction:

The Rays have to basically win out for any real chance to make this playoff thing happen. They certainly can’t afford to lose on the road to the Rangers, who are trotting out an inexperienced pitcher. Texas can mash the ball, which leaves the Rays open to be upset. Still, I think Tampa is going to find a way to win because they will be actively in the game while the Rangers will probably be going through the motions.

 

The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -135