Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions

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The Tampa Bay Rays (60-38) and Texas Rangers (57-39) close out their 3-game series on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch from Globe Life Field is at 2:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rangers lead 3-2

The Rays are trying to avoid a 3-game sweep after losing the 1st 2 games of the series 3-2 and 5-3. They have lost 3 games in a row and are 3-10 in their last 13 games and their lead in the AL East is down to 1 game.

The Rangers have won 5 games in a row. They have completed 7 series sweeps this season. They lead the AL West by 4 1/2 games over the 2nd-place Houston Astros.

Rays at Rangers projected starters

RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Jon Gray

Littell (0-1, 6.05 ERA) makes his 3rd start and 15th appearance. He has a 1.55 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 19 1/3 innings.

• In his 2 other openers, he has allowed 2 ER on 5 H in 4 IP
• Has allowed 2 ER in 2 IP in each of his last 2 appearances,

Gray (6-5, 3.45 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 99 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K in 12-4 home win over Cleveland Guardians on Friday
• Is  0-3 with 6.75 ERA in last 5 starts (25 1/3 IP)

Rays at Rangers odds

FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.

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Rays at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 6, Rangers 5

The Rangers are seeking their 6th straight win, but are 1-5 in their last 6 series finales. Gray has allowed 4 or more runs in 4 of his last 5 outings.

The Rays are going with a bullpen game. Their bullpen ERA this season is 3.80, 10th in the majors.

BET RAYS (-116).

The Rangers are 57-39 ATS overall, the 2nd-best mark in baseball. They have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games and are 22-10 ATS as an underdog.

The Rays are 51-47 ATS overall and 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games.

The Rangers have been a great ATS bet all year and this is one of those scenarios, but it is a little pricey for the -175. You get better odds with the moneyline play on the Rays

PASS.

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The Rangers’ last 5 series finales have had 9 or more total runs while the Rays’ last 4 series finales have had more than 9 total runs. And 3 of the 5 games between the 2 teams have had 10 or more total runs.

BET OVER 9 (-122).

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