The MLB just emerged from the All-Star break yesterday and every single team takes the diamond on Saturday as the league gets back into its usual rhythm.
At 7:05 p.m. EST, the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers duke it out in the second game of this three-game series down in the Lone Star State. Will the home team pull off the upset for the second straight night to earn their 50th win of the campaign or will the AL’s most dominant squad come out on top?
Here’s a Rangers vs. Tigers prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for this contest between contenders.
Rangers vs. Tigers prediction, preview
The Texas Rangers clawed their way back to the .500 mark at 49-49 with a handful of wins before the All-Star Game and last night’s victory. Their bats seem to finally be waking up after struggling for most of the season thus far, so better luck at the plate means Texas becomes a team to watch out for over the remainder of the year.
At first in team ERA and WHIP, the Rangers’ arms truly excel despite sitting just 22nd in strikeouts on the year. Their staff can compete with anyone, so some consistent run support turns Texas into a candidate to rise up the AL West standings and compete for a Wild Card spot. They’re 17th in AVG, 16th in OPS and fourth in runs over the last 30 days, marks far above their season-long rankings in the bottom-six of most major categories.
The visiting Detroit Tigers are still on top of the MLB with a 59-39 record and the best win percentage in baseball. They’re a true force to be reckoned with but were held scoreless in last night’s 2-0 loss on the road. They look to bounce back and pick up their 60th win of the campaign tonight.
These Tigers rank 14th in AVG, eighth in OPS and 12th in runs this year and had a handful of position-player All-Stars in Gleyber Torres, Javier Baez, Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry. Their pitching staff ranks eighth in ERA and seventh in WHIP, and while neither of their All-Star hurlers take the mound tonight, the Rangers have their work cut out for them against this team.
Rangers vs. Tigers pick, best bet
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Rangers as -121 favorites on the Moneyline at home. The Tigers aren’t underdogs often but come in at -101 on the road with a run total of 8.5.
DraftKings Network just introduced a new probable pitchers page to track daily starter matchups, so be sure to check that out ahead of the game! In Saturday’s contest, young Rangers righty Kumar Rocker (6.39 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 43 SO) battles another righty in the Tigers’ Keider Montero (4.02 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 45 SO).
Rocker’s numbers look pretty rough this season overall, so I’m hesitant to take Texas in this game despite the talent coming out of their bullpen. While the starter actually has pitched better recently with two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts, he allowed six in his last start and faces plenty of potent hitters tonight. Montero gives Detroit an edge in the starter battle and I’m banking on the Tigers getting out to an early lead before Rocker gets chased from the contest.
My thought process is simple — if you can get the league’s winningest team as an underdog, it’s probably best to take them to win. I expect the Tigers to come out on top.
Best bet: DET Tigers ML (-101)
Click the odds on this bet to tail!
