Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays: Analysis, Prediction, and Betting Tips

Sam Batz

The MLB regular season continues on Friday, June 9th with a mouthwatering matchup between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays (6:40 PM EST, Bally Sports/MLB Extra Innings). According to ESPN’s most recent MLB Power Rankings, the Rays and Rangers round off the top of the list as the No. 1 and No. 2 rated teams. Friday’s matchup is the first of a 3-game series between the two best teams in baseball, with Tampa Bay hosting. The Rays are -1.5 run favorites, but it should be a tightly contested matchup. The red-hot Rangers have overtaken the Rays as the best offense in the MLB, but Tampa Bay remains at the top of the standings with the best record in the league.  

The Texas Rangers (+1.5; ML +145)

The Texas Rangers are 40-21 (65.6%), which puts them in 1st place in the AL West, 2nd place in the American League, and 2nd place in the MLB. They are 4 games behind the league leading Rays, but the Rangers’ bats have exploded in recent weeks, as Texas now leads the league in runs (386), hits (590), RBIs (371), and batting average (.277). The Rangers have also given-up the 2nd-fewest runs (232), resulting in the best run differential (+154) of any team. In their last 10 games, the Rangers went 7-3 and are coming off a 2-1 series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, however, the best offense in baseball was shut out at home on Wednesday. Texas isn’t infallible, but they have emerged as one of the best teams in the league, and their matchup with Tampa Bay will be must-watch baseball. 

The Tampa Bay Rays (-1.5; ML -175)

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record at 46-19 (70.8%), leading the AL East, American League, and MLB. The Rays went 7-3 in their last 10 games, and are currently on a 6-game winning streak. Tampa Bay is coming off a 3-0 sweep of the Minnesota Twins, and while the Rays are no longer considered the best offensive team in the MLB, they continue to pump out wins. According to ESPN Analytics, the Rays have a 58.7% chance to beat the Rangers on Friday. Tampa Bay is an incredible 29-6 (82.9%) at home, averaging 5.8 runs for and 3.4 runs against. The Rays are extremely difficult to beat in Tampa Bay, but they may not fare so well against the fast approachingTexas Rangers.      

Rangers vs. Rays Odds

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Rangers vs. Rays: Season Stats

Rangers vs. Rays: Betting Trends

Texas Rangers

• 40-21 record ATS
• 20-11 record ATS on the ROAD
• 29-9 record ATS versus the AL
• 34-26-1 O/U record this season
• 4-6 O/U record in the last 10 games
• 15-9 as UNDERDOGS 
• 10-6 as UNDERDOGS on the ROAD

Tampa Bay Rays

• 38-27 record ATS
• 22-13 record ATS at HOME
• 26-18 record ATS versus the AL
• 35-27-3 O/U record this season
• 1-9 O/U record in the last 10 games
• 42-15 as FAVORITES
• 27-6 as FAVORITES at HOME

Rangers vs. Rays: Starting Pitcher Comparison

Rangers vs. Rays Prediction

Take the Texas Rangers to beat the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, June 9th. The Rays may have the best record, but the Rangers are clearly the best batters in the MLB. Tampa Bay leads the league in home runs (108), but Texas leads in everything else (runs, hits, batting average, and RBIs). The Rangers are a respectable 19-12 (61.3%) on the road, and average 5.9 runs in away games. Texas’ offense is certainly something to brag about, but they also have an impressive defense, allowing the 2nd-fewest runs (232), and giving up just 3.8 runs per game. It will be a great game between the two best teams in baseball, but the Texas Rangers will eke out the win on Friday. 

Prediction: Texas Rangers Moneyline (+150)

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