Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and predictions

The Texas Rangers (18-12) and Los Angeles Angels (18-14) clash Friday as they open a 3-game AL West showdown in Orange County. First pitch at Angel Stadium is slated for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Rangers won last year’s series 10-9

Texas has been streaky of late, with a 4-game win streak and a 4-game losing skid in its rearview mirror since April 24. The Rangers hit 4 HRs on Wednesday and have clubbed 21 round-trippers in their last 11 games.

The Angels defeated St. Louis 11-7 Thursday to complete a 3-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Los Angeles is 6-2 in its last 8 games.

Rangers at Angels projected starters

RHP Dane Dunning vs. LHP Tyler Anderson

Dunning (2-0, 1.77 ERA) is tabbed for his 1st start of the season. He has a 0.84 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 4.9 K/9 in 20 1/3 IP out of the bullpen.

• Owns a 4.26 ERA over 71 career games (61 starts)
• Unclear as to whether he will pitch in a traditional starting role or behind an opener as a bulk reliever
• He’s logged at least 3 IP in 4 of his 8 appearances

Anderson (1-0, 5.74 ERA) is tabbed for his 6th start. He has a 1.58 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 26 2/3 IP.

• Has a 2.28 ERA across 4 career starts against Texas
• Coughed up 16 ER over 14 IP across 3 starts from April 8-22, but rebounded to allow just 1R in 6 2/3 IP in his last start April 28 at Milwaukee
• Made 108 pitches in that April 28 turn against the Brewers, his most in a game since last June 15

Rangers at Angels odds

FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:43 p.m. ET.

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Rangers at Angels picks and predictions

Prediction

Angels 6, Rangers 5

No lean either way (and not enough input on the Texas pitching side). PASS.

For what its worth, Los Angeles has played about twice as many 1-run games (12) as the average MLB club. Still, no value play to be made here. AVOID.

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There is some all-around fade-the-pitching lean to Friday’s contest in Anaheim. Both bullpens have favorable batting-average-on-balls-in-play figures, and the softer underbellies of those ‘pens could well be exposed here.

The bats are in better form, and the weather forecast calls for a double-digit wind blowing out and Anderson and the Texas bullpen have fly-ball tendencies.

TAKE THE OVER 9.5 (-102).

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