The Texas Rangers (59-70) and Cleveland Guardians (74-54) complete a three-game series on Sunday. First pitch at Progressive Field is scheduled for 1:40 PM ET (MLB Network). Break down FanDuel Sportsbook's Rangers vs. Guardians odds and make your best betting predictions and forecasts with MLB experts.
Season series: Guardians lead 3-2
The Rangers won the series opener on Friday, 5-3, but the Guardians outshot the Rangers 13-5 on Saturday to single-handedly win the over (8.5).
Despite the blowout loss, Texas holds a respectable record of 4-2 in their last six games, and even with the over, the Rangers have posted lower point totals in six of their last nine games.
The 13 points scored on Saturday were the most for the Guardians since they gave up 13 in a win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on July 7. The over has benefited from two straight games, while the under is 6-3 in their last nine games.
Rangers vs Guardians predicted starting lineup
LHP Cody Bradford vs. LHP
Bradford (4-1, 3.56 ERA) will be making his eighth start and ninth appearance and has a 0.95 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 43 innings.
Last start: Tuesday's 4-0 loss at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7 innings, 3 runs allowed, 5 hits, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts Tuesday's loss at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2024 road record: 1-0, 7.71 ERA (7 innings, 6 ERA), 1.57 WHIP, opponents batting average .323, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts, 2 appearances (1 start) Career record with the Guardians: 1-1, 12.00 ERA (6 innings, 8 ERA), 1.67 WHIP, 9.0 strikeouts, 2 appearances (1 start)
Boyd (0-0, 3.38 ERA) is making his third start and has a 1.03 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 10 2/3 innings.
Last Start: Tuesday vs. New York Yankees, no decision, 5 1/3 IP, 3 earned runs, 4 H (2 HR), 4 BB, 2 K, 12 innings in a 9-5 road win. 2024 Home Performance: Opening and only home start of the season on August 13 vs. Chicago Cubs, no decision, 5 1/3 IP, 1 earned run, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 2-1 win. Career Record with Rangers: 11 appearances (10 starts), 1-7, 6.49 ERA (51 1/3 IP, 37 earned runs), 1.38 WHIP, 8.4 K in 9 innings.
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Rangers vs Guardians odds
Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated at 1:23 a.m. ET.
Money Line (ML): Rangers +108 (bet $100 to win $108) | Guardians -126 (bet $126 to win $100) Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+160) | Guardians +1.5 (-194) Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -106 | U: -114)
Guardians Rangers Predictions and Forecasts
prediction
Guardians 6, Rangers 5
Money Line
The Guardians (-126) are worth a light bet, but choose carefully.
Neither team inspires much confidence for bettors coming into Sunday's game, with the Rangers (+108) having a dismal 13-19 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season.
Cleveland is an impressive 26-11 record against left-handed pitchers this season, the best record in the American League and the best winning percentage against lefties in the major leagues, but Boyd is 1-7 all-time against Texas, which should give bettors pause.
Against run line/spread
The Guardians +1.5 (-194) will cost you nearly double the potential return if you need insurance and can't fully back Cleveland with Boyd on the mound, and I can't recommend it because there's too much risk and very little reward.
Passed.
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Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-110) is a strong play with two left-handed starting pitchers on the mound.
The over is 2-2 in Bradford's four starts, including his lone start on the road against the New York Yankees on Aug. 10.
Boyd's only two starts have split the over, but he's still terrible, posting a 6.49 ERA against the Rangers.
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