The Rangers and Tigers play the first game of their three-game series on Friday, May 1.
Detroit is a -118 moneyline favorite, while Texas is -102 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under eight runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Rangers vs. Tigers game.
Rangers vs. Tigers prediction, preview
The Rangers lost their last two series, but they avoided a sweep in both. The team defeated the Yankees 3-0 on Wednesday before beginning a six-game road trip in May. Texas visits Detroit for a three-game set starting on Friday, May 1.
MacKenzie Gore will be the starting pitcher in his first season with the club. He spent three seasons with the Nationals, proving to be a solid strikeout pitcher with a below-average ERA. He’s holding a 4.35 ERA, which isn’t too far off his career average of 4.20. The left-hander has 42 strikeouts and 25 hits in 31.0 innings this season.
This could be a decent matchup for Gore as the Tigers are a mediocre offense that’s struggled against lefties. They’re batting .213 against left-handed pitchers this season, which ranks 24th in the majors. The downside for Gore is that Detroit is an average strikeout club overall and against lefties.
Jack Flaherty will start for the Tigers. He hasn’t been as effective this season with a 5.33 ERA and just 28 strikeouts across 25.1 innings. The Rangers, however, are a strikeout-heavy team, having the sixth most strikeouts in the majors. They are, however, much worse against lefties than righties.
Because Texas has had much greater success against right-handers, it could get ugly for the struggling Flaherty.
Rangers vs. Tigers Pick, Best Bet
The odds are nearly even for this matchup; neither squad is a plus-money underdog. It comes down to pitcher matchups, and I believe Gore has the advantage over Flaherty.
Texas is much better against righties, and it should show in the series opener.
