The Texas Rangers need a big streak to catch the Houston Astros atop the Americal League West division. Fortunately for them, they have plenty of time to cut the Astros’ lead down, and they will look to gain ground in a road series against the Cincinnati Reds, beginning this Friday. The Reds are lagging behind in the National League Central division. At press, the Rangers are +3500 to win the AL West, while the Reds are +2200 to win the NL Central.
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Game by Game Betting Preview for the Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds Regular-Season Series Running from June 13-16 2019
Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
When:
Game 1 Friday, June 14, 7:10 PM EST
Game 2 Saturday, June 15, 7:10 PM EST
Game 3 Sunday, June 16, 1:00 PM EST
Line: Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
GAME 1
Starters: Drew Smyly (1-5, 8.40 ERA) vs. Tyler Mahle (2-6, 4.21 ERA)
Pitching:
There is a chance that Smyly won’t ultimately be ruled out for this scheduled start, as the team is reportedly thinking of putting the lefty on the disabled list due to an ankle issue. Smyly lasted just three innings in his last start, allowing five earned runs on six hits in a 9-8 home loss to the Oakland Athletics. He is 1-2 with a high 8.53 ERA in four road starts this season. Mahle picked up a loss in his last start, though, he only yielded two earned runs on four hits in 5.0 innings of a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies on the road. Mahle is 0-6 with a 4.83 ERA in nine home starts this season.
Hitting
Nomar Mazara is hitting .297 on the road this season, as of this writing.
Yasiel Puig is 2-for-3 against Smyly.
Prediction: Rangers win, 4-3.
GAME 2
Starters: Mike Minor (5-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. Tanner Roark (4-5, 3.74 ERA)
Pitching:
Minor has been the most dependable pitcher on the Rangers’ rotation this season. In his last start, he allowed just two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts in 8.0 innings of a 4-3 road win over the Boston Red Sox. For those counting, that’s Minor’s ninth-straight start without giving up more than three earned runs. That’s far from the form Roark is in currently. He allowed eight runs over his last two starts across 11.0 innings. He is 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in seven home starts this season.
Hitting
Asdrubal Cabrera is 6-for-17 with three doubles and a homer in career vs. Roark.
Jose Iglesias is 2-for-4 in career vs. Minor.
Prediction: Rangers win, 4-3.
GAME 3
Starters: Ariel Jurado (3-2, 2.78 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (2-5, 3.65 ERA)
Pitching:
Jurado got a win in his most recent stint on the mound, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in 6.0 innings of a 4-3 home win over the Baltimore Orioles on Jun. 6. He has a 2.35 ERA in six games played on the road this season. Gray had a no-decision in his last start, allowing three earned runs on four hits in 5.2 innings of a 4-3 road win over the Phillies on Jun. 9. The Reds are 4-1 in Gray’s last five starts.
Hitting
Shin-Soo Choo is 8-for-25 in career vs. Gray.
Eugenio Suarez is hitting .307 at home this season, as of this writing.
Prediction: Reds win, 5-3.
Writer’s Overall Series Prediction
Rangers take two of three games in this mid-June series.
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