The Tampa Bay Rays face off against the Texas Rangers in MLB action on Saturday afternoon.
The Rangers are the defending World Series champions but they're eight games below .500, and my Rays vs. Rangers predictions don't expect them to win today. Here are my best free MLB picks for July 6.
Rays vs Rangers prediction
My best bet
Rays moneyline (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Tampa Bay Rays are sending Taj Bradley to the mound for this matchup while the Texas Rangers respond with Andrew Heaney. Both starters are somewhat similar since they do a good job of making batters miss but also get hit hard. That said, Bradley has been lights-out lately.
Bradley was shredded by Baltimore's high-scoring offense on June 1, surrendering nine runs in just 3 1/3 innings. However, he's been sensational since, pitching to a 1.24 ERA with a .175 OBA in his last five starts — including a revenge game against the O's where he pitched five innings of one-run ball.
Both of these lineups have also struggled but the Rays have been decent against lefties like Heaney. They are ninth in the majors in batting average (.262) and 12th in OPS (.727) against southpaws.
On the other hand, the Rangers are batting just .237 and 22nd in the majors with an OPS of .680 against right-handers. They've really struggled at the plate lately, sitting just 26th in the majors in OPS (.659) over the last 30 days.
With the Rays performing better at the dish lately and getting some strong outings from Bradley, I'll back them at a pick'em price here.
Rays vs Rangers same-game parlay (SGP)
Rays moneyline
F5 innings Under 4.5
Yandy Diaz 1+ hits
These teams combined for just three runs last night and I don't see them generating many runs today either. I mentioned how red-hot Bradley has been but Heaney has also pitched well lately. Since the start of May he has posted a 3.21 ERA across 61 2/3 innings. With both sides also struggling at the dish, the Under on the first five innings makes sense.
Yandy Diaz has gone hitless in his last two games but he's in a good spot to pick up a knock today. Don't forget that he was fourth in the majors with a batting average of .330 last year and while he's batting just .264 this year, that number bumps up to .301 against lefties.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rays vs Rangers odds
Rays vs Rangers live odds
Rays vs Rangers opening odds
- Run line: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+140) | Texas +1.5 (-175)
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay -110 | Texas -110
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)
Rays vs Rangers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Despite losing 3-0 in the series opener last night, the Rays have won 10 of their last 15 games to climb to .500 on the year.
- The Rangers are 3-8 in their last 11 games and are third in the AL West with a 40-48 record.
- The Rangers are 4-12 in Heaney's 16 starts this year while the Rays have gone 6-4 in Bradley's 10 starts.
- The Rangers are 8-1 in the last nine meetings with six of those victories coming as underdogs.
Rays vs Rangers trend
The Rays have covered the Run Line in 18 of their last 25 away games (+11.00 Units / 30% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Rangers
Rays vs Rangers game info
| Location: | Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, 7-6-2024 |
| First pitch: | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sun, Bally Southwest |
| Rays starting pitcher: | Taj Bradley (2-4, 3.81 ERA) |
| Rangers starting pitcher: | Andrew Heaney (2-9, 4.17 ERA) |
Rays vs Rangers latest injuries
Rays vs Rangers weather
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