Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 07/17/2023

Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Monday, July 17, 2023

Venue:  Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

Where to Watch:  BSSW

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rays -125, Rangers +105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rays -125, Rangers +105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rays -125, Rangers +105; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Tampa Bay Rays:  60-35 (1st place, AL East)

Texas Rangers:  54-39 (1st place, AL West)

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Tampa Bay Rays:  3-7 last 10

Texas Rangers:  4-6 last 10

The Rays entered their last series off of a win but lost their 3-game series against the Atlanta Braves 2-1. They enter this game with a 60-35 record overall and have a road record of 25-20. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Monday with the series finale of their series against the Kansas City Royals still to be played on Sunday. They also won the series opener and the 2nd game of that series on Saturday. Their offense ranks 4th in the MLB with a .785 OPS. Zach Eflin is their starting pitcher on Sunday while Shane McClanahan is making his start in this game on Monday. He is 11-1 with a 2.53 ERA this season. His team won 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 1 HR, and 3 BB with 1 K on 5 hits through 3 IP against the Seattle Mariners.

The Rangers entered their last series on a 2 game losing streak and lost their 3-game series against the Washington Nationals 2-1. They enter this game with a 54-39 record overall and have a home record of 29-18. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Monday with the 3rd game of their series against the Cleveland Guardians still to be played on Sunday. They also won the 1st game and the 2nd game of that series on Friday and Saturday. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .806 OPS. Martín Pérez is their starting pitcher on Sunday while Dane Dunning is making his start in this game on Monday. He is 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA this season. His team won 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 1 homer, and 2 BB with 4 strikeouts on 7 hits through 5.2 innings played against the Washington Nationals.

The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers and the Rays have both been having great seasons as they both lead their divisions and both have 2 of the best offenses in the MLB. The Rays have been going strong all year as the best in the MLB but right before the break the Braves passed them with a better record and it is due to the fact that the Rays have been slipping in their games lately. The Rangers have been doing the opposite though as they are keeping their lead in the AL West and their offense has actually been getting better in their games lately too. The Rays have had some very good pitching this season and they are going to have their ace McClanahan starting here, but as good as he has been this season, he did give up 4 runs in his last start and has missed some time since then due to an injury that has been keeping him out of the rotation. The Rangers have one of the best offenses in the league right now and this isn't exactly a soft landing spot for McClanahan to be coming back from an injury on the road where the Rays have been a lot worse this season too. The Rangers have been really good at home though and same goes for their starter here Dane Dunning who hasn't been giving up many runs in his starts all season, especially in his home starts. The Rangers are going to get after the Rays here with their offense and they will have the slight advantage being at home here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.

Rays Rangers Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Monday, July 17, 2023 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Rangers 5 Rays 2.

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Tampa Bay Rays: 60-35 (+13.1 units) on the moneyline in all games. 54-22 (+19.6 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 11-5 OVER against AL West opponents. SHANE MCCLANAHAN is 11-5 OVER in all games.

Texas Rangers: 34-55 (-15.1 units) on the moneyline against AL East opponents. 99-110 (-12.2 units) on the moneyline in home games. 26-12 OVER when the total is 8 to 8.5. 27-16 OVER in home games. 

Tampa Bay Rays:  S. McClanahan (SP) Prob Mon - Back. Y. Diaz (3B) Out indefinitely - Personal. D. Rasmussen (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Fleming (SP) Late July - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Early Aug - Elbow. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow.

Texas Rangers:  J. Sborz (RP) Out indefinitely - Bicep. J. deGrom (SP) out for season - Elbow. J. Odorizzi (SP) out for season - Shoulder. B. Martin (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.

“I felt good all game. I kind of felt off to start, but as the innings went on I got a rhythm. It was a battle today and ended up being a good game.” - Tyler Glasnow after their win against the Royals in their game on Saturday.

“It was really nice to get out there and feel a little more like myself. Obviously, D.C. was just bad. I didn’t want to pick up where I left off.” - Andrew Heaney after their win against the Guardians in their game on Saturday.

Jose Siri (R) CF

Wander Franco (S) SS

Harold Ramirez (R) DH

Randy Arozarena (R) LF

Isaac Paredes (R) 3B

Luke Raley (L) 1B

Manuel Margot (R) RF

Christian Bethancourt (R) C

Taylor Walls (S) 2B

Marcus Semien (R) 2B

Corey Seager (L) SS

Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B

Adolis Garcia (R) RF

Josh Jung (R) 3B

Jonah Heim (S) C

Travis Jankowski (L) LF

Mitch Garver (R) DH

Leody Taveras (S) CF

Batting Average:  Yandy Diaz (.323)

Hits:  Wander Franco (97)

Home Runs:  Jose Siri (18)

RBI:  Randy Arozarena (59)

Stolen Bases:  Wander Franco (28)

Wins:  Shane McClanahan (11)

Saves:  Jason Adam (11)

ERA:  Chase Anderson (0.00)

Batting Average:  Corey Seager (.355)

Hits:  Marcus Semien (106)

Home Runs:  Adolis Garcia (24)

RBI:  Adolis Garcia (79)

Stolen Bases:  Travis Jankowski (13)

Wins:  Nathan Eovaldi (10)

Saves:  Will Smith (15)

ERA:  Aroldis Chapman (0.00)

Managers:

Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)

Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (1st season)