Inter-league play resumes on Monday as the Rangers take on the Pirates at Rangers Ballpark in a key battle on the odds menu.

The Rangers will turn to Yu Darvish and his 12-7 record as they look for a win in this one, while the Pirates send Gerrit Cole (6-7) to the hill.



View Pittsburgh vs Texas Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had installed the Rangers as -180 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 8 before betting at Sportsbook started to move the line.

Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the American League No. 2-ranked Rangers and the National League No. 8-rated Pirates in this matchup.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Texas' No. 4-rated American League offense, averaging 4.5 runs per game, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 4 in the National League at 3.6 in runs allowed per game. The Rangers have averaged 9 hits per game so far, more than Pirates batters have averaged on the year (8.4 hits per game).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Texas has the American League's No. 4-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Pirates own the National League's No. 4 mark in runs allowed.

Last time out for Pittsburgh, they were a 9-2 loser as they battled the Cardinals on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Cardinals at -133 were rewarded, while the 11 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Pittsburgh looks to rebound from a loss to the Cardinals, who beat them 9-2 on Sunday behind a start from Michael Wacha at Busch Stadium.

Last time out for Texas, they were a 4-3 Sportsbook as they battled the Angels on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Rangers at -104 were rewarded, while the 7 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. The Rangers enjoyed a 4-3 victory at the expense of the Angels on Sunday, with Nick Tepesch throwing 3 1/3 innings of 4-hit ball at Angel Stadium.


Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Texas are 3-7
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

Texas Rangers Trends:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing LA Angels are 9-1
After a win are 5-5

A few Pirates at Rangers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games when playing Texas
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Texas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas' last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas' last 5 games at home


Next up:
Pittsburgh at Texas, Tuesday, September 10