The Tampa Bay Rays (83-56) and Texas Rangers (69-71) open a 4-game series Thursday in Arlington, Texas. First pitch from Globe Life Field is at 8:05 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Rays vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 2-1
The Rays are 5-2 in their last 7 games, but lost 2 of 3 in their most recent series at home against the New York Mets. They lost the finale 10-4 Wednesday as -184 favorites with the Over (8) cashing. SP Griffin Jax allowed 6 runs (3 earned) in 2 2/3 innings, and the Rays couldn't come back from the 6-0 deficit. 2B Richie Palacios had a 2-run homer in the loss. The Rays have a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
The Rangers are in second place in the
AL West, trailing the Houston Astros by 1 game, and are 1 1/2 games out of the Wild Card. They have won 3 of their last 4 and took 2 out of 4 from the A's, but lost the finale 9-2 Wednesday as -162 favorites with the Over (7.5) cashing. The A's hit 5 home runs in the first 5 innings.
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Rays at Rangers projected starters
LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Cal Quantrill
McClanahan (10-6, 3.19 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 113 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER (4 R), 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 9-4 home win over San Diego Padres Friday
- Last start vs. Rangers: No-decision, 3 IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 3-2 home win July 30
- Career vs. Rangers: 1-0, 3.38 ERA (16 IP, 6 ER), 0.63 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 in 3 starts
- 2026 road splits: 2-5, 3.91 ERA (53 IP, 23 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 11 starts
Qunatrill (6-5, 3.01 ERA) makes his 12th start and 29th appearance. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 89 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 5-3 loss at Milwaukee Brewers Saturday
- Last start vs. Rays: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-1 road win July 28
- Career vs. Rays: 3-0, 2.14 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.77 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 6 starts
- 2026 home splits: 3-3, 2.61 ERA (48 14 IP, 14 ER), 1.06 WHIP, 5.2 K/9 in 14 games (5 starts)
Rays at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:03 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Rangers +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+135) | Rangers +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rays at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Rays 3
Moneyline
The Rays went 3-3 on their last road trip, losing their first 2 games of the trip to the Baltimore Orioles. They are 36-31 on the road. They have won 4 of McClanahan's last 5 starts.
However, Quantrill had a 1.45 ERA in the month of August and has allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 5 of his last 6 starts. The Rangers are 38-29 at home.
BET RANGERS (+105).
Run line/Against the spread
The Rangers' last 11 covers have been outright wins, while 10 of the Rays' last 13 ATS losses were outright losses.
With plus odds on the Rangers ML, that is the better, more valuable play.
PASS.
Over/Under
The total has not exceeded 8 in Quantrill's last 6 starts. Five of McClanahan's last 8 starts have had totals below 8. His last 6 starts have alternated between totals below 8 and double digits. The total was 13 in his last outing.
Five of the Rays' last 6 losses have not reached 9 total runs.
BET UNDER 8 (-115).
Best prop bet
RANGERS OVER 4.5 RUNS (+160)
They have scored 5 or more runs in 10 of their last 14 victories. Rays opponents have scored 5 or more runs in 5 of their last 8 losses.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions
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