The Texas Rangers (55-66) and Minnesota Twins (62-57) meet Monday evening at 7:10 p.m. ET to cap off a 4-game series at Target Field in Minneapolis. Season series: Texas leads 4-2
The Rangers have taken 2 of the 3 games in this series and are 6-3 over their last 9 games. The club has pitched its way to a 6-4 record over its last 10 road games. Texas owns a 3.27 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over that span.
The Twins tote a 4-game winning streak into this series, but they have struggled offensively over recent weeks. Since Aug. 7, Minnesota has been saddled with a .655 OPS.
Rangers at Twins projected starters
LHP Cole Ragans vs. RHP Sonny Gray
Ragans (0-2, 5.02 ERA) has made 3 starts this season. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9 and 4.4 K/9 through 14 1/3 IP.
- Made his major league debut Aug. 4
- Has pitched at Double-A and Triple-A this year and owns a combined 3.04 ERA while logging 113 K in 94 2/3 IP in the minors
Gray (7-3, 3.11 ERA) owns a 1.13 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 89 2/3 IP across 18 starts.
- Has registered a 1.69 ERA, 1.05 WHIP over his last 5 starts
- Has pitched 11 straight scoreless innings at Target Field
- Coughed up 5 runs in 4 2/3 IP against Texas on July 8
Rangers at Twins odds and lines
- Money line: Rangers +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Twins -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-120) | Twins -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Rangers at Twins picks and predictions
Prediction
Twins 4, Rangers 3
Money line
Gray has been fortunate with some rates around the margins of late, and the Twins’ offensive struggles have been real.
But, for now the ML is a PASS: take the Rangers at +180 or better.
Run line/Against the spread
BACK THE RANGERS +1.5 (-120).
Texas has scored 4.45 runs per game while allowing 4.41. The Rangers are deserving of a better overall mark.
Over/Under
The 25-cent line here does no favors for bettors on either side STEER CLEAR.
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