Detroit (59-38) vs Texas (48-49)
July 18, 2025 at 08:05 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Texas +1.5 — Over/Under: +8.5
In this article, we will formulate a Tigers vs Rangers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 18, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
The Detroit Tigers (59-38, 27-20 Away) were on a five-game winning streak, but ended the first half of the season with four straight defeats and being swept by the Seattle Mariners. It was only the second time this year the Tigers suffered a series sweep. In Game 4, an 8-4 defeat, Dillon Dingler led the offense with two RBI, while Jack Flaherty pitched for 5.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Tommy Kahnle took the loss.
This year, the Tigers average 4.97 runs per game (6th in the MLB) on a .252/.324/.425 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Tigers’ staff has a 3.68 ERA (9th) and 1.22 WHIP (8th). Riley Greene leads the Tigers with a .284 batting average, 24 home runs, and 78 RBI this season.
Reece Olson will take the mound for the Tigers on Friday. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 5-6 record in 11 starts this year with a 2.95 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 58.0 innings.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers (48-49, 26-19 Home) ended the first half with a loss to the San Diego Padres, split with the Los Angeles Angels, and a win over the Houston Astros. In a rubber match, a 5-1 victory, five different players contributed a run apiece, while Nathan Eovaldi got the win after allowing one run on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk across 7.1 innings of work.
This season, the Rangers average 4.05 runs per game (24th in the MLB) on a .232/.300/.376 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rangers’ staff has a 3.28 ERA (1st) and 1.17 WHIP (2nd). Adolis Garcia leads the Rangers with a .234 batting average, 13 home runs, and 56 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Rangers is Patrick Corbin, who is 6-7 in 17 starts this season, with a 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 93.1 innings.
Why the Tigers will beat the Rangers
The Tigers have won each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
The Rangers have lost each of their last seven games as home underdogs against AL Central opponents.
The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games against AL Central opponents.
The road team has covered the run line in each of the Tigers’ last four games.
The Tigers have led after 5 innings in each of their last three night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
Nine of the Rangers’ last 10 night games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Each of the Tigers’ last four games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last six night games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 13 of the Tigers’ last 16 games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
The Rangers rank 3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (89).
The Rangers rank 4th in the league for steals this season (92).
The Tigers rank 27th in the league for strikeouts against this season (848).
The Tigers are one of only five teams in the league to rank top 10 in both home runs and batting average this season.
Tigers vs Rangers Prediction
The Rangers won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including three of the last four, while this season, Texas leads 2-1. I am going with the Tigers in this one, mainly because of the pitching matchup. The last time he faced Detroit, Patrick Corbin allowed four runs in 5.0 innings in a 6-3 loss. Corbin did play well in his last two starts, but registered a 5.28 ERA in June. Reese Olson, on the other hand, returned from an injury and surrendered only three runs in two starts against Cleveland and Tampa Bay. He took a loss the last time he met the Rangers, but Olson is in better form than Corbin this year, so I am backing the Tigers to open this series with a W.