Best MLB Over/Under Bet Today (April 27): Yankees vs Rangers

• Two legitimate playoff contenders begin a four-game set at Globe Life Field on Thursday evening
• The Yankees return to the site of where Aaron Judge made history when he cranked out his 62nd homer last September
• Look below for the best Yankees vs Rangers over/under pick of this series opener

For the first time since Aaron Judge clobbered historic home run No. 62 last year, the New York Yankees (14-11, 5-4 away) will return to Arlington tonight to begin a four-game set with the Texas Rangers (14-10, 8-4 home). New York won four of seven meetings opposite the Rangers last year.

First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET with an over/under of 8. The game will also be joined in progress nationally on MLB Network.

Yankees vs Rangers Odds & Total

Unsurprisingly, with the Yankees rolling out their stud ace for the series opener, they’re decisively favored here at -180. NY is facing a left-handed starter, however, an area that they’ve struggled in thus far.

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Odds as of April 27 at BetRivers.

Yankees-Rangers Probable Pitchers

Gerrit Cole vs Andrew Heaney

Just about a month of the way through, Gerrit Cole appears to be pacing as the early favorite for the American League Cy Young Award. His next assignment taking on Texas may only sustain those chances.

Cole’s World

Cole squared off with the Rangers twice a season ago and had his way, notching a delightful 19-1 K/BB ratio across the two starts, spanning 12.1 innings. For his career, the Yankee right-hander carries an insane 14.6 K/9 strikeout rate against this foe — his highest such personal mark.

There’s no reason to think Cole won’t continue his masterful 2023 work, especially with Texas still missing Corey Seager. After all, this is a dominant pitcher absolutely on his game right now and he’s one that ranks in the top three in the AL in wins, innings and batting average against.

Of note, the 12-year veteran has also not allowed a ball to sail past the outfield fences yet. Well, the Rangers are tied with the seventh-most home runs as a team, so if they’re not able to rely as much on the long ball, that has to limit their ceiling.

We would love to see the typically-high-powered Bronx Bombers dealing with a lower ceiling, too, and perhaps that will be the case opposing a left-handed starter.

Heaney Back From the Dead

Not only that, it’s against someone with whom this start will be personal for. Andrew Heaney endured a disastrous half-season tenure with the Yanks after being traded from Los Angeles to New York a couple of years ago and was even (wrongfully) demoted from the rotation.

Things have changed quite a bit since then for the southpaw, fortunately. Heaney always exhibited notable potential during his several seasons with the Angels, and with LA’s other baseball team last year, he mesmerized as a Dodger.

Hean-dog constructed career-best numbers in ERA (3.10), WHIP (1.09), strikeout rate (13.6 K/9) and batting average against (.214). Granted, this came in about half a season, as Heaney had some minor injury issues, but when healthy, it’s clear the changes he made in Dodger blue were making a difference.

Fast forward one year later and now Heaney is providing steady innings as a member of the Rangers. Following an alarming team debut, the 10th-year lefty yielded only three runs (two earned) across his last three starts combined. Furthermore, he even took co-ownership of AL history when he struck out nine consecutive batters against the Royals.

Yes, the Yankees sport an imposing lineup but they’re out to a mightily slow start when dealing with left-handed pitching. In fact, they hold the lowest team OPS (.644) and batting average (.200) in the league with a southpaw on the mound.

Yankees vs Rangers Over/Under Pick

Heaney figures to capitalize on that and continue his revitalization. Paired with the usual Cole gem, anticipate the starting pitching to dictate a lower-scoring script.

Pick: UNDER 8 (-117)

2023 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 16-10, +4.66 units

Yesterday’s Result: Royals-Diamondbacks Under 8.5 (WIN)

*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit