Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – June 20, 2016

Two of the top teams in the American League—the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers—square off for a make-up game later this evening at Globe Life Park. Both are looking to stay on the winning track, but only one can obviously do so. Who’s it going to be? Read on below for a closer look at this colossal matchup.

For more baseball, click here to view our breakdown of the matchup between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers.

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Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers Betting Preview

Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX

When: Thursday, June 16, 2016, 8:05 PM ET

Line: Baltimore Orioles (-115) vs. Texas Rangers (+105); total: 9.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: FSSW, MASN

Betting on the Baltimore Orioles (40-28)

Kevin Gausman (0-4, 4.14 ERA) has to put on an excellent showing on the mound if the Baltimore Orioles hope to steal a huge win at Globe Life Park tonight. Unfortunately though, the odds of that from happening aren’t looking too good as the 25-year-old righty has yet to notch his first victory this season.

What’s more, Gausman has struggled to play in front of hostile crowds. He is 0-3 with a 4.78 ERA and a .283 opponents’ batting average through six road starts thus far. It’s likely that Gausman, who logged in three innings of six-run ball (all earned) in an eventual loss to the Red Sox last Wednesday, might need a lot of help from his teammates on offense.

Therefore, the O’s top batters in Mark Trumbo and Jonathan Schoop better deliver the goods for them at the plate. Both are bound to be under a lot of pressure especially with Manny Machado still serving his four-game suspension.

Trumbo has gone just 2-of-17 in the past four games, but he can light it up at almost any given moment. The 30-year-old veteran leads the team in homers (20) and runs batted in (51) this year.

Schoop, meanwhile, has been sizzling hot. He’s gone 15-of-39 with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBIs in his previous 10 games.

The Orioles, who are priced at +250 to win the AL East division title, have won five of their last 10 road games.

Betting on the Texas Rangers (45-25)

Almost everything’s been going right for the Texas Rangers this season. They are currently sitting pretty atop the AL West, carrying a comfortable 8.5-game lead over the second-placed Mariners. And more importantly, the Rangers will have an opportunity to extend their six-game winning streak to seven when they play host to the Baltimore Orioles later tonight.

Key to doing so will heavily rely on the performance of Derek Holland (5-5, 5.14 ERA), who’s set to go on the mound. Holland’s coming off another uninspiring and short start against the A’s last week, yielding five runs (four earned) and three walks across 3 2/3 frames.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old southpaw could be in line for a nice rebound, as he is 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA and .214 opponents’ batting average throughout eight career games (seven starts) versus Baltimore. That stretch includes a pair of shutout performances on August 30, 2015 and April 4, 2011.

Over at the plate, the Rangers, who are averaging 4.80 runs per game and are pegged at +1,000 to win the World Series this year, better gather up all the runs they possibly can. And speaking of which, you can expect none other than Ian Desmond to do just that.

Desmond currently leads the team in batting (.309), runs batted in (45), OBP (.360) and hits (85). He’s also gone 9-of-24 with three doubles, three RBIs and one homer in the past six contests.

Texas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Texas (+105) wins it, 6-4.

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