Tampa Bay Rays (2-2) vs Texas Rangers (2-1)
Game Info: Monday, April 1, 2024 at 6:50 pm (Tropicana Field)
Ryan Pepiot (0-0) (0.00) vs Dane Dunning (0-0) (0.00)
Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -110 / Texas Rangers +100 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: BSFL
The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Texas Rangers for game one of their three-game set this Monday from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rangers vs Rays Prediction.
Texas Rangers Preview
Texas enters at 2-1 after taking two of three from the Cubs in Arlington. The Rangers let the Cubs steal game three in the ninth inning, and they’ll attempt to bounce back this week in Tampa. Texas is batting .200, while scoring 3.3 runs per game, with a team ERA of 5.04.
Projected Starter
Dane Dunning (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for Texas. The fifth-year pitcher figured things out and broke out last season, posting career bests in wins (12), ERA (3.70), and strikeouts (140). Dunning’s versatility was also very impressive, as he made quality starts consistently, before shining in a bullpen role during the playoffs.
Texas’ Player Props
- Corey Seager recorded four hits in the game two win over Chicago, and he’s batting .500, with a pair of RBI.
- Adolis Garcia went yard in the first two wins over the Cubs, and he’s posting splits of .231/2/4.
- Marcus Semien plated three runs in the game three loss, and he’s hitting .308.
- Josh Jung totaled multiple bases in all three games against Chicago, and he’s also batting .308.
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
Tampa Bay comes in at 2-2 after splitting four games with Toronto. The Rays came out flat in the series finale, and they’ll have to rev things up with the defending champions coming to town. Tampa is batting .293, while scoring 5.0 runs per game, with a team ERA of 3.67.
Projected Starter
Ryan Pepiot (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is set to start for Tampa. The Indianapolis native put together two strong months with the Dodgers down the stretch, posting a 2.14 ERA thru eight starts, with 38 strikeouts. Pepiot could turn into a vital piece for TB if he remains healthy and builds on his sophomore campaign.
Tampa’s Player Props
- Yandy Diaz plated a run in the first three games versus Toronto, and he’s batting .357.
- Brandon Lowe came thru with a grand slam in the game two win over Toronto, and he’s hitting .273.
- Randy Arozarena homered in the final two matchups with the Jays, and he’s posting a line of .357/2/3.
Texas Team Facts
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The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last 12 games as underdogs.
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The Rangers have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs against American League opponents.
Tampa Bay Team Facts
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The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
Texas vs Tampa Trends
- TEX is 1-2 against the spread, with a 2-1 O/U record.
- TB is 2-2 ATS, with a 2-2 over/under record.
Rangers vs Rays Prediction
Texas looked good during their banner-raising series versus Chicago, and I believe that success travels over into Tampa. The Rays have started a bit slow offensively, and they haven’t gotten much from anyone outside of Diaz, Lowe and Arozarena. Tampa will likely wake up for this series, but I like swaying Texas’ way for game one.
Corey’s Pick Texas TO WIN
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
