Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/26/2023

by Rod Pearson

Thursday, May 25, 2023
Game Time: 7:05 pm ET, Friday, May 26, 2023
Venue:  Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Where to Watch:  MLB Network


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +115, Orioles -135; Over/Under:  8.5 runs
Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +115, Orioles -135; Over/Under:  8.5 runs
BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +115, Orioles -135; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Season Record

Texas Rangers:  31-18 (1st place, AL West)
Baltimore Orioles:  32-17 (2nd place, AL East)

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Recent Form
Texas Rangers:  7-3 last 10
Baltimore Orioles:  6-4 last 10



Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles Preview and Analysis


The Rangers are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak after winning their 3-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 31-18 record overall and have a road record of 15-10. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Orioles on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .790 OPS. Martín Pérez was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Jon Gray is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA this season. His team won their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 6 Ks on 5 hits through 5 IP against the Colorado Rockies.

The Orioles are entering this game off of a win in their last game and did complete the sweep in their 3-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 32-17 record overall and have a home record of 15-8. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the New York Yankees still to be played on Thursday. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .757 OPS. Kyle Gibson is their starting pitcher on Thursday while rookie pitcher Grayson Rodriguez is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 2-1 with a 6.21 ERA this season. His team won 7 of their last 8 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 1 BB with 6 strikeouts on 4 hits through 5 innings played against the Toronto Blue Jays.


Rangers vs Orioles Prediction

The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Orioles have been really hot to start the season as they are 2nd place in their division and have one of the best records in the MLB, but the Rangers have also been really hot this year as they have a similar record as the orioles do and the Rangers are leading their division right now. Both of these offenses have been good but the Rangers have a slight edge with their pitching, especially with this starting matchup. Jon Gray is up for the Rangers and he has been a solid starter for them this season as he hasn't given up many runs in his starts. The same can't be said for the Orioles starter Rodriguez who hasn't been great in a few of his starts and he is also in his rookie season so he is very inexperienced and now pitching against the 2nd best offense in the MLB. The Orioles also have a good offense but not as good as the Rangers and their bullpen hasn't been as good either. The Orioles won't be able to keep up with the Rangers here on offense with how well Gray has been pitching this year so the value is in this hot Rangers team at the dog price. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.

Rangers Orioles Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, May 26, 2023 (7:05 pm ET start time) is Rangers 9 Orioles 3.
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MLB Betting Trends


Texas Rangers: 61-88 (-13.8 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 to +150. 85-110 (-10.2 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. 29-19 OVER in all games. 11-1 OVER after allowing 3 runs or less 2 straight games.

Baltimore Orioles: 32-17 (+16.1 units) on the moneyline in all games. 20-7 (+15.4 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ is 6-3 OVER in all games and 6-3 OVER in the first half of the season.

Key Injuries


Texas Rangers:  E. Duran (SS) Ques Fri - Back. S. Howard (SP) Early June - Arm. J. deGrom (SP) Mid June - Elbow. T. Jankowski (RF) Early June - Hamstring. M. Garver (C) Early June - Knee. J. Odorizzi (SP) out for season - Shoulder. G. Otto (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. B. Martin (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.

Baltimore Orioles:  D. Tate (RP) Early June - Forearm. R. Urias (3B) Early June - Hamstring. J. Means (SP) Mid July - Elbow.


Notable Quotes


“What a job (Smith) did to bail us out. He earned the save.” - Bruce Bochy on Will Smith after his team’s win against the Pirates in their game on Wednesday.


“A ton of fight, a ton of energy in our dugout. Nestor Cortes has given us a lot of problems in the past couple years. A huge offensive inning when we needed it.” - Brandon Hyde after his team’s win against the Yankees in their game on Wednesday.


Starting Lineups


Texas Rangers
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) DH
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Josh Jung (R) 3B
Jonah Heim (S) C
Robbie Grossman (S) LF
Josh H. Smith (L) SS
Leody Taveras (S) CF

Baltimore Orioles
Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Adley Rutschman (S) DH
Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
Anthony Santander (S) RF
Austin Hays (R) LF
Adam Frazier (L) 2B
James McCann (R) C
Jorge Mateo (R) SS
Joey Ortiz (R) 3B

Statistical Leaders


Texas Rangers
Batting Average:  Corey Seager (.348)
Hits:  Marcus Semien (60)
Home Runs:  Adolis Garcia (14)
RBI:  Adolis Garcia (49)
Stolen Bases:  Marcus Semien (7)
Wins:  Nathan Eovaldi (6)
Saves:  Will Smith (9)
ERA:  Dane Dunning (1.67)

Baltimore Orioles
Batting Average:  Austin Hays (.308)
Hits:  Cedric Mullins (50)
Home Runs:  Ryan Mountcastle (11)
RBI:  Cedric Mullins (39)
Stolen Bases:  Jorge Mateo (14)
Wins:  Dean Kremer (5)
Saves:  Felix Bautista (12)
ERA:  Yennier Cano (0.35)

Managers:
Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (1st season)
Baltimore Orioles: Brandon Hyde (5th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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