The Texas Rangers are searching for some consistency at 11-10, but with a recent series win in Detroit, things could very well be looking up.
A tough matchup with the Atlanta Braves is on tap for the weekend, and after the home team took the first game of the series, the Rangers will look to bounce back tonight.
Let's dive right into it with our in-depth MLB picks and Rangers vs. Braves predictions on Saturday, April 2.
Rangers vs Braves prediction
My best bet
Rangers moneyline (+120 at DraftKings)
My analysis
Nathan Eovaldi continues to pitch effectively into his mid-thirties. The Texas Rangers starter is now working on his fifth straight season with an ERA under four runs while boasting some stellar underlying numbers.
Eovaldi may not be rolling up as many ground balls as we’ve seen in the past, but he’s come in with a much lower 36.4% hard-hit rate, which has brought him a .233 expected batting average.
An interesting wrinkle here will be the splitter of Eovaldi, which isn’t an offering many teams are used to seeing out of a starting pitcher. Despite boasting a deep lineup, the Atlanta Braves rank just 18th in run value versus the pitch. Hitting home runs will be tough against a guy who keeps the ball low in the zone and induces weak fly balls.
On the flip side, I think it might be time for the 40-year-old Charlie Morton to hang it up. Over the past two seasons, the right-hander has been getting hit hard while simultaneously giving up too many free passes.
Texas has been a rather patient offense with an 8.9% walk rate to this point, and while the power has lagged, the Rangers find themselves in a favorable spot tonight.
If there were ever a time to fade the Braves, it’s now.
Rangers vs Braves same-game parlay (SGP)
Rangers moneyline
Charlie Morton Under 5.5 strikeouts
Marcus Semien 2+ total bases
As you might guess, I’m looking for ways to fade Morton here. The first way I’ll do so is with the Under on his strikeouts, a very exciting bet given the Rangers come in with a strikeout rate under 20% on the season.
This is a team that should make plenty of contact, and while Morton’s strikeout rate sits just above the league average, he’s had the benefit of facing the White Sox, Mets, and Marlins. The veteran hurler will be in for a rude awakening tonight.
One of the guys I expect to get to Morton is Marcus Semien. The Rangers All-Star second baseman holds a .285 xBA against breaking pitches this season and has recorded nine hits in 24 at-bats versus the Braves righty.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Braves odds
Rangers vs Braves live odds
Rangers vs Braves opening odds
- Run line: Texas +1.5 (-110) | Atlanta -1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Texas +130 | Atlanta -155
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-105) | Under 9.5 (-115)
Rangers vs Braves spread and Over/Under analysis
- Texas opened up at +130, but after drifting up to +135, the Rangers have steadily fallen to +120.
- At DraftKings, 64% of the bets are on the Over with a commanding 80% of the handle headed that way.
Rangers vs Braves trend
The Rangers have hit the F5 moneyline in 89 of their last 161 games (+23.78 Units / 11% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Braves
Rangers vs Braves game info
| Location: | Truist Park, Atlanta, GA |
| Date: | Saturday, 4-20-2024 |
| First pitch: | 7:20 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Southwest, Bally South |
| Rangers starting pitcher: | Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 2.92 ERA) |
| Braves starting pitcher: | Charlie Morton (1-0, 5.29 ERA) |
Rangers vs Braves latest injuries
Rangers vs Braves weather
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