Rangers vs Rays Odds - Rangers will knock Rays back in wild-card race

MLB betting players are counting down the dog days of summer, and the race for the AL wild-card spot is heating up. Texas enters this weekend’s series in Tampa Bay trailing Boston by a game, but ahead of the Rays by three. Look for the Rangers to pad that lead, while keeping pace with the Red Sox.

Rangers vs Rays Odds – Surprising pitching carries Rangers in Tampa Bay

• Shaky Kazmir can’t be trusted
  
• Hunter takes first road loss
  
• Price does better against Rangers, but still falls

Friday, August 21, 7:38 PM ET
Dustin Nippert (4-1, 3.52) vs Scott Kazmir (7-7, 6.36)

Nippert faced the Rays once in 2008 and was pounded for seven runs on four innings of a 7-4 loss, but he’s looking to cement his spot in the rotation after a few solid starts. Kazmir has won three of his last four starts, but he’s been less than stellar at Tropicana Field, going 4-3 in 10 home starts with an awful 7.32 ERA. Despite this, the Rays are –170 online betting favorites on Friday, but as inconsistent as Kazmir’s been, it’s tough to put any faith in Tampa Bay.

MLB betting pick: Rangers

Saturday. August 22, 7:08 PM ET
Tommy Hunter (6-2, 2.64) vs Matt Garza (7-8, 3.73)

Hunter controlled the Rays in his first meeting against them back in July, and the 23-year-old righthander has won five of his last six starts. On the road, he’s been lights out with a 2-0 record in three starts away from the Ballpark, posting a microscopic ERA of 0.87. Garza has tossed three no-decisions in a row, but he hasn’t been very efficient. In those outings, Garza has gone past the fifth inning once, and he’s thrown 303 pitches in just over 15 innings. He was knocked for five runs in five innings in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers in July, dropping his record against them to 3-2 in five starts with a 3.06 ERA. Hunter’s been great on the road, but it won’t last forever, and Garza started to get his act together in his last start against Toronto. The Rays should be favored in your offshore sportsbook, and Garza will protect Tropicana Field.

MLB betting pick: Rays

Sunday, August 23, 1:38 PM ET
Scott Feldman (12-4, 4.06) vs (David Price 6-5, 5.03)

Feldman has fared well against the Rays in his career, going 2-1 in six outings (two starts) with a 2.50 ERA, and one of those victories came in July. If Hunter’s road numbers are baffling, Feldman’s are just outlandish: 8-1 in 11 outings (10 starts) and a 3.50 ERA. Price may have revenge on his mind after failing to make it out of the second inning in his first meeting with the Rangers, giving up six runs with five walks and three strikeouts. Price has been a beast at home, posting a 6-1 mark in eight starts with a 2.82 ERA. Like Kazmir, though, he's been too inconsistent; his walk problems put a lot of runners on base for a potent Texas offense, which isn’t good for their sports betting chances.

MLB betting pick: Rangers

For more analysis of MLB odds as we head towards the postseason, bookmark “Skip” in the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.