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Rangers vs Tigers Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (July 22)

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 21, 2021 · 9:45 PM PDT

Jeimer Candelario smacks a hit
Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario (46) during a baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
  • The Detroit Tigers are -135 home favorites against the Texas Rangers in Thursday’s game
  • Detroit has won three straight over Texas
  • Texas has scored two runs or fewer in seven consecutive games

The Texas Rangers exploded for two runs on Wednesday. Still, that wasn’t enough to get the better of the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit’s 4-2 victory was the eighth successive loss suffered by the Rangers. They’ve scored more than two runs just once during the skid. Texas has been shutout three times over that span.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are rolling. They’ve won a season-high six in a row. They haven’t won seven straight in five years.

Detroit will also be looking for a seventh series sweep of the season. The Tigers posted six series sweeps in the three previous seasons combined.

Since returning from the All-Star break, Detroit has outscored opponents 35-7. The Tigers are -135 favorites to keep winning on Wednesday. Detroit is 7-5 straight up as a betting favorite this season.

Rangers vs Tigers Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total
Texas Rangers +115 +1.5 (-165) O 9.0 (-120)
Detroit Tigers -135 -1.5 (+145) U 9.0 (+100)

Odds as of July 22nd at DraftKings.

Probable Pitchers

Rangers starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz is 0-2 and has surrendered 17 earned runs in 15 innings over his past three starts. Foltynewicz has served up an MLB-leading 28 home runs this season.

In his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Foltynewicz was hammered for 10 earned runs in 1.2 innings. He shows an 8.10 road ERA this season, allowing opposing hitters to slash 314/.356/.645 in away games.

The righty is posting his worst home run (2.5) and strikeouts (6.4) per nine innings numbers in a full season during his big-league career.

Foltynewicz vs Alexander

Mike Foltynewicz
VS
Tyler Alexander
2-9 Record 1-1
5.91 ERA 4.40
5.28 xERA 4.40
1.34 WHIP 1.34
3.17 SO/W Ratio 3.70

The Tigers will send left-hander Tyler Alexander to the mound. That could be bad news for the Rangers.

Texas is batting .238 against southpaws, 22nd in the majors. The Rangers are 28th in on-base percentage (.297) and OPS (.672) when facing lefties. They are 20th against left-handers in terms of won-loss record (17-17).

Alexander was summoned from the bullpen to step into the rotation. This will be his second straight starting appearance. The Tigers are missing three-fifths of their starting rotation. Spencer Turnbull (Tommy John surgery) is lost for the season. Matthew Boyd and José Ureña are also on the injured list

Overall, the Tigers are 7-20 in games in which Alexander has pitched but 2-1 in games that he has started.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Rangers Batters Batting Average vs Alexander Tigers Batters Batting Average vs Foltynewicz
Charlie Culberson .000 Akil Baddoo .000
David Dahl .000 Miguel Cabrera .000
Joey Gallo .000 Jeimer Candelario .000
Adolis Garcia .000 Harold Castro .000
Johan Heim .000 Grayson Greiner .500
John Hicks .000 Robbie Grossman .250
Brock Holt .000 Eric Haase .000
Andy Ibanez .000 Derek Hill .000
Isiah Kiner-Falefa .333 Isaac Paredes .000
Nathaniel Lowe .000 Victor Reyes .000
Nick Solak .000 Jonathan Schoop .000
Eli White .000 Zack Short .000

Tigers backup catcher Grayson Greiner isn’t exactly tearing the cover off the ball. But his .231 average is a significant step up from the .118 he batted last season. He’s never finished with a batting average higher than .219 during his major-league career.

Against Foltynewicz, Greiner is batting .500 (1-for-2). That one hit was a solo home run.

Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the only Rangers player with a hit off of Alexander. He’s 1-for-3. Kiner-Falefa is a lifetime .234 hitter (11-for-47) when facing the Tigers.

Rangers vs Tigers Pick

Everything points to a Tigers win. They’re on a roll, while the Rangers are in a rut. Detroit has the longest active winning streak in the majors. Texas has the longest active losing streak in the majors.

They’ve scored an AL-low 3.6 runs per game. Earlier this week, the Rangers went 27 innings without scoring a run. Foltynewicz is struggling and the Rangers play poorly against left-handed starting pitchers.

It might be tempting to go contrarian and play the Rangers to end their skid. But sometimes, what’s staring you in the face is too overwhelming to ignore.

Pick: Detroit Tigers (-135)

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