Tigers vs. Rangers Odds
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+190 | 9 -105/ -115 | +1.5 -110 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -240 | 9 -105/ -115 | -1.5 -110 |
The Texas Rangers enter this Thursday afternoon matchup looking for a third straight win as they've trounced the Detroit Tigers each of the last two days. However, the Tigers may show some fight in this series finale.
The Tigers came out swinging in the first game of this series as they lit up the scoreboard in a 7-2 win. They were also up halfway through the second matchup until the Rangers came storming back to win 8-3. This afternoon they'll have an opportunity to get off to a hot start and split the four-game series when they face Cody Bradford.
As for the Rangers, they have been a tough team to contend with, and now they get to face a rookie in Reese Olson. To his credit, Olson has only had one rough outing in the big leagues thus far. Although he was tagged by the Braves for six runs, and this Texas lineup is comparable to Atlanta's.
Will history repeat itself, or will the rookies dazzle in this Thursday matinee? Let's take a closer look to find out.
Detroit Tigers
When you look at the Tigers' lineup on paper, it certainly doesn't strike fear into any opposing pitcher. However, what if I told you they were due for significant positive regression?
It is true. The Tigers are 18th in xwOBACON, which means they are making a decent amount of solid contact, and their current numbers don't accurately reflect that.
The biggest discrepancy is in their team batting average. They currently have the fourth-lowest team batting average in baseball, but their team xBA is 15 points higher.
We should see some of that positive regression come against Cody Bradford. The rookie left-hander has been tagged in his first three big-league starts as he enters with a Hard-hit Rate of 55.6% and an Average Exit Velocity of 94.8 miles per hour.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers lineup has been scolding hot this season as they hold the best team batting average in baseball. This is a group of young talent with power and speed that's proven to be a constant threat throughout a ball game.
That will be no different here as they look to repeat their success from the last two nights. Texas has scored 18 runs over the last two games as it has torn apart this Detroit staff.
Reese Olson may face a similar fate. The only comparable lineup to Texas that Olson has faced is Atlanta's, and the Braves knocked him out in the fourth inning as he allowed six earned runs on five hits.
While Olson must be given credit for solid work in his other outings, this matchup will be a true test, and unfortunately, he may be stepping on the tracks when the Rangers train barrels through.
Tigers vs. Rangers Betting Pick
The total for each game in this series has been set at or around nine. These two teams have combined to go over twice and push once so far this series. The trend of high-scoring affairs should continue this afternoon as the Tigers will have an opportunity to participate in the scoring for the first time since Game 1.
Cody Bradford has been hit very hard in his young major-league career, and the Rangers bullpen behind him is sporting a 4.27 ERA.
On the other side, we've seen the Rangers punish the Tigers' pitching staff the last two nights, and they should have little issue with Reese Olson and a taxed Tigers bullpen.
