This betting guide tackles the best value plays for a couple of American League games on Friday. The Texas Rangers take on the Chicago White Sox for the first time this season, while the Tampa Bay Rays look to extend their winning streak as they travel to face the Minnesota Twins.
Texas Rangers (+105) vs Chicago White Sox (-125)
Texas starting Glenn Otto has been really good lately, winning his last three starts with a 2.25 ERA and .170 batting average against. He’s also 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA on the road. Chicago has struggled against righties this season, batting just .228 against them. White Sox starter Davis Martin has just two starts under his belt this season, and Chicago lost them both. Take the Rangers here with some good value (+105).
The Sox’s bullpen got a workout on Thursday, and it got rocked. They’ll be called on again in this one, as Martin hasn’t gone past 5.1 innings. On the other hand, Otto has been very stingy, allowing just six earned runs across his last four starts. The total here seems a little high, and the under has hit 17 times in the last 25 meetings between these teams in Chicago. Lean toward the under (U9, -115) here.
Tampa Bay Rays (+100) vs Minnesota Twins (-120)
Tampa Bay is coming off a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, while the Twins have alternated wins and losses over their last six games. Twins starter Devin Smeltzer has been sharp all season, sporting a 1.93 ERA. He’s also been awesome at home with a 0.75 ERA, allowing just one run off five hits in 12 innings. Tampa starter Drew Rasmussen has struggled on the road this season, with a 5.14 ERA and 20 hits over 21 innings. Take the Twins at home (-120) in this one.
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The Twins bats seem to be jumping, as the over is 5-0-1 in their last six, including planting seven runs and five homers off of New York Yankees star Gerrit Cole yesterday. The under has hit just once in Rasmussen’s last seven starts, and the teams went over the total in two of three earlier meetings this season. Take the over here once again (O8.5, -120).
Odds via BetMGM
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