Rangers vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Props: Texas Stays Hot
The Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers square off in the opener of an AL series on ESPN between two division leaders.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Guardians as the moneyline favorites in Game 1, posted at -145 with a total of 8 runs.
You can get all of the betting odds information and trends you need here alongside our Rangers vs. Guardians prediction.
Rangers vs. Guardians odds
| Moneyline | Total (Over/Under) | Run Line |
| Rangers (+125) | Over 7.5 runs (-115) | Rangers +1.5 runs (-178) |
| Guardians (-140) | Under 7.5 runs (-120) | Guardians -1.5 runs (+150) |
The run line for both teams gives much better odds, but I would stay away from those in this matchup, as three of the last four games for Texas and the last two for Cleveland have been one-run affairs.
How we got here
After losing two in a row, the Rangers (42-42) have won their last four games. They are atop the AL West, a half-game up on the Seattle Mariners.
The Guardians (44-40) have won two in a row and three of their last four games. They are tied atop the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox.
On the season, the Guardians are 21-18 at home, and the Rangers are 23-24 on the road.
Rangers vs. Guardians betting analysis
Here are some stats for both teams, the starting pitching matchup, and some player analysis for the Rangers vs. Guardians prediction.
By the numbers
Rangers
- Runs – Tied for 24th
- Team ERA – 12th
Guardians
- Runs – 28th
- Team ERA – 7th
Pitching Matchup
Tyler Alexander (1-1, 2.62 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) goes for the Rangers and will be making his third start of the season, as he has mainly been used as a reliever. Alexander hasn't given up any runs in his last five appearances out of the bullpen, totaling 5 1/3 innings.
Parker Messick (7-4, 2.67 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) gets the nod for the Guardians, and in his last start, he gave up two runs on three hits in 7 2/3 innings, but got little help from the lineup in a 2-1 loss to the White Sox. After winning four in a row with him on the hill, Cleveland has lost four of his last five outings. However, in his last five starts, he gave up more than three runs only once, and in the four losses, the Guardians only totaled eight runs.
Get out the broom
The Rangers were north of the border in their last series, taking all four games from the Toronto Blue Jays, outscoring them 21-15.
Burger and Pederson provide the pop
Jake Burger (.257, 14 home runs, 50 RBIs) and Joc Pederson (.241, 13 home runs, 29 RBIs) provide the pop for the Rangers’ lineup as the team's home run leaders. While Burger has just one dinger in the last six games, he has four RBIs in the last two, and Pederson has three solo home runs in his last four games.
Taking the home series
In their last series, the Guardians were at home and, after losing the opener, won the final two to take the series.
Guardians’ lineup issues
Cleveland has struggled at the dish all season and only ranks 28th in the Majors in runs scored.
Chase DeLauter (.265, 7 home runs, 36 RBIs) leads the club in RBIs and had two in the last game after coming off the 10-day IL.
A couple of leaders out for the Guardians
Angel Martinez (.239, 11 home runs, 33 RBIs) and Jose Ramirez (.239, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs) are the Cleveland leaders in home runs, the only players in double digits in long balls, and are both out on the 10-day IL.
PlayersBest pick: Rangers moneyline (+125)
The Rangers have good value in this game at +125, being a hot team, while the Guardians are without some key bats in their lineup.
Messick has not pitched badly as of late, but Cleveland has not given him much run support. That will continue, as the club only ranks 28th in runs scored, and their top two home run hitters are out with injuries.
Alexander and the Rangers’ bullpen, which ranks a respectable 11th in bullpen ERA, will be solid, and in a lower-scoring game, Texas will stay hot, winning its fifth in a row.
Rangers vs. Guardians player prop picks
Here are some player prop bets we like at DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Parker Messick 7+ strikeouts (+102) – Messick has 19 strikeouts in the last two games.
- Jake Burger 1+ RBI (+185) – Solid value for Burger here, as he leads the Rangers in RBIs and has four of them in the last three games.
