Texas Rangers (58-68) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (58-66)
Game Info: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 2:35 pm (Globe Life Field)
Andrew Heaney (4-13) (4.20) vs Paul Skenes (7-2) (2.30)
Betting Odds: Texas Rangers / Pittsburgh Pirates --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Bally Sports Southwest, SportsNet-PIT Stream the MLB Game of the Day all season on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Texas Rangers meet Wednesday in MLB action from Globe Life Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Domingo German for the start here and German is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 4 strikeouts this season. The Texas Rangers will start Andrew Heaney here and Heaney is 4-13 with a 4.20 ERA and 123 strikeouts this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this one looking to win the rubber match of this series after evening the series up at one win apiece thanks to a 4-0 win in Tuesday’s matchup. The win puts the Pirates in a spot to potentially make it back-to-back series wins after knocking off the Mariners this past weekend.
Pirates Trying To Get Back To .500
Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 135 hits with 23 doubles along with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs while Andrew McCutchen has 16 home runs and Jack Suwinski has 9 stolen bases. Oneil Cruz has 14 stolen bases and 146 strikeouts while also posting 27 doubles, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs and Connor Joe has a .234 batting average and 20 doubles as well this season. Ke’Bryan Hayes also has 11 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Rangers have lost each of their last six day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have won six of their last seven road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 10 road games against American League opponents.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine day games against NL Central opponents.
Texas Rangers Recap
The Texas Rangers will be trying to rebound and win the series after taking the L in Tuesday’s matchup. The loss puts the Rangers at risk of another series loss after falling short against the Twins and Red Sox over the last week and a half.
Rangers Falling Fast In AL Playoff Hunt
Marcus Semien leads the Rangers with 125 hits along with 24 doubles, 18 home runs and 61 RBIs while Adolis Garcia has 21 home runs and 62 RBIs with 19 doubles as well as 10 stolen bases. Jonah Heim has 11 homers and 49 RBIs and Josh Smith also has 23 doubles. Corey Seager also has 28 home runs with 68 RBIs of his own this season.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last eight Wednesday games against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have won seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last six day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in four of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
Pirates vs. Rangers Prediction
I’m on the Rangers here. I still don’t know what to expect really from Domingo German, and Andrew Heaney has pitched a lot better than his record and ERA would probably indicate. The Rangers are in do or die mode and I’m about ready to stick a fork in them but this feels like a winnable spot against a Pirates lineup that’s been much more inconsistent offensively as of late. Give me Texas here.
Chris’s Pick Texas Rangers TBA
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
