Will The World Series Champs Turn Things Around?

The Texas Rangers have dug themselves into a massive hole. They’re just 2-8 over the last ten games and have lost four consecutive matchups. Over the weekend, they’ll take on a Minnesota Twins on the road. The Twins are 26-23 on the season. However, despite a two-game winning streak heading into this series, the Twins are just 3-7 in their last ten games. The Rangers vs Twins MLB odds favor Minnesota for Game 1 at -147. The total is set at 8.5 (Over -115).

While it looks like they’ve recovered from poor play, the Twins nor the Rangers have had consistent success over the last two weeks. However, in this weekend’s three-game series, somebody has to win the series.

Texas’ Six-Game Road Losing Streak

One of the main reasons for Texas’ collapse this season has been its inability to win on the road. The Rangers have lost six straight road games heading into tonight’s series against the Twins.

Also, the Rangers have been outscored by 29 runs over the last ten games. Don’t even look at the World Series odds that have plummeted lately.

Royce Lewis Is Closer to a Return

Lewis injured his quad on Opening Day with the Minnesota Twins and hasn’t seen the field since. This was a big concern early for the Minnesota Twins roster. Yet, they’ve fared well without him so far. He was just seen running the bases and seemingly recovered well. Lewis could have a rehab assignment this weekend and then officially come back by next weekend.

However, he won’t be able to play in this weekend’s series against the Rangers. Look for Lewis to play soon on the MLB schedule.

Rangers vs Twins MLB Odds For Game 1:

RL: Twins -1.5 (+140) ML: Twins -147, O/U 8.5 -115/-105

Jose Urena hasn’t had the best luck with the Rangers this MLB season. He’s 1-3 with a 3.29 ERA on the season. Ultimately, Urena has only struck out 15.1% of batters. But he’s still held opponents to a .131 ISO and wOBA of .283 with 51.6% of ground balls and 20.5% of fly balls. He’s struggled a bit more against righties, but he’s been a great replacement starter in the first half of the season.

Still, he’s in line to take on a Twins lineup that has hit a .190 ISO and wOBA of .332 against righties this season. Minnesota has a lot of power in its lineup against righties.

Urena will go up against Bailey Ober of the Twins. Ober has allowed a .198 ISO and wOBA of .294, with only 28.8% of ground balls induced. However, he’s still added 26.6% of strikeouts. He’s just not getting good results when the ball is put into play. Therefore, Ober has a 4.40 ERA on the season.

Ober will face a Rangers lineup that has only struck out 18.4% of the time. Texas has also hit a .164 ISO and wOBA of .336 against righties.

Therefore, with Minnesota’s power and Texas’ matchup against Ober, the Over 8.5 (-115) is the play.

In the second matchup, Michael Lorenzen will get the call. He’s a righty who has allowed a .269 ISO and wOBA of .419 to his first 89 righties. Lorenzen will likely face four righties in the Minnesota lineup. Those four righties have hit a .192 ISO and wOBA of .335 against other righties this season combined.

In addition, Lorenzen has walked 12.5% of batters and has allowed 25% of line drives this season.

He’ll battle it out against Minnesota’s starter, Chris Paddack. Paddack is good at keeping walks down, but he’s also allowed a .198 ISO and wOBA of .353 to his first 104 righties this season.

Paddack will have to face Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia but likely would face seven lefties in the Texas order. Still, Paddack has only struck out 17.6% of lefties and has allowed a .330 wOBA, thanks to nearly 27% of line drives allowed to lefties.

The Rangers would have six batters in the lineup with above-average ISO numbers and seven hitters with above-average wOBA numbers.

We’d back the Over in this game as well.

While it’s not confirmed, Jon Gray will likely start the finale of this series. Gray has held teams to a .102 ISO and wOBA of .279. He’s been dominant against righties and has even earned 23.4% of strikeouts this year.

Gray has become the best pitcher for the Rangers this season. But remember, they’ll get Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle back from the MLB injured list by the second half of the season.

He is in line to face Pablo Lopez of the Twins. This should ultimately be the best pitching matchup of the series. Lopez has allowed a .188 ISO and wOBA of .311 to his first 226 batters, but he’s also added about 28% of strikeouts and just 4% of walks.

His 4.72 ERA isn’t appealing, but he’s been above average analytically and should get above-average results the more he pitches.

When the Rangers vs Twins MLB odds are released for this game, we will take the under in this potential rubber match.

Rangers vs Twins Odds

For MLB predictions, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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