Does anything beat an MLB matinee game between two playoff contenders in September? That’s what we have on deck for this Wednesday’s matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers. Find a time to sneak a look at your phone during work, or else you’ll miss this one.
The Brewers enter as -132 moneyline favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 7.5 runs. Let’s dig into a preview, prediction and best bet for this Brewers vs. Rangers matchup.
Brewers at Rangers prediction, preview
The Brewers are moving close to clinching the No. 1 seed in the National League playoffs, holding a solid lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. With how loaded the NL playoff picture is, avoiding a potential matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS would be a coup. And Milwaukee turns to one of the hottest pitchers in baseball to help get the job done.
Freddy Peralta is on the kind of hot streak you only dream about. He’s pitched at least five scoreless innings in five straight trips to the mound, allowing only nine hits and 12 walks across 28 innings with 35 strikeouts. Peaking as you go into the playoffs is an extremely valuable thing, and it spells trouble for the Texas Rangers.
His opposing number, Merrill Kelly, has his work cut out for him. Going toe-to-toe with Peralta is difficult for anyone right now, but there’s reason to believe he is up to the task. Since joining the Rangers at the deadline, Kelly has a 2.98 ERA across seven starts and 42.1 total innings with 35 strikeouts to only nine walks.
With two hot starters taking the mound and solid bullpens behind them, expect the lineups to struggle in the afternoon. Even with this low total, the value is on the under.
