The Texas Rangers go with C.J. Wilson on Thursday night as they close out their three-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wilson (13-6, 3.29 ERA) took a no-decision against the Rays in Tampa Bay back on May 31, allowing three earned runs on three hits over 6 2-3 innings while fanning 10 in that Texas defeat.
View Tampa Bay vs Texas Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Rays listed as underdogs of +-155 at most sportsbooks. Total bettors saw the number open in the area of 8.5, depending on the book.
Power Rankings:
It's a baseball betting matchup between the American League No. 3-rated Rangers and the league No. 6-ranked Rays, according to the latest MLB power poll here at Odds Shark.
How They Match Up:
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Texas' American League No. 3-ranked scoring average of 5 runs per game, against a Rays offense rated No. 7 and scoring 4.3 runs per game in the league. The Rangers have averaged 9.6 hits per game to date this season, more than the Rays hitters have managed (8.3 per nine innings).
Defensively, Tampa Bay features the American League's No. 5-rated defense on the road, allowing 4 runs per game. Texas, meanwhile, comes in at No. 1 in the American League at home, scoring 5.8 runs per game.
Last time out for Tampa Bay, they were a 4-1 Sportsbook as they battled the Rangers on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Rays at +109 were rewarded, while the 5 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Tampa Bay got the job done in their last match in a 4-1 victory over Texas on Wednesday at Rangers Ballpark behind starter James Shields.
Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Baltimore are 7-3
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
Texas Rangers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few Rays at Rangers trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing Texas
Tampa Bay is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas' last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas' last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Baltimore, Friday, September 2
Texas at Boston, Friday, September 2
