Rays vs Rangers Odds, Lines and Spread (June 2)

• The Tampa Bay Rays are -130 road favorites over the Texas Rangers in an American League afternoon game slated for Thursday, June 2
• Entering play Tuesday, Texas was 6-2 straight up over the previous six games against Tampa Bay
• Analysis of the Rays vs Rangers odds, picks, predictions and best bets is available in the story below

Deep in the heart of Texas, the Tampa Bay Rays (28-21, 11-10 away) have struggled to beat the Texas Rangers (24-24, 12-12 home). As they complete a four-game road series against the Rangers, the Rays are taking it on the chin again.

Entering Wednesday night’s game, Texas has won the first two games of the series. The Rangers had also taken the decision in five of their last seven home games when facing Tampa Bay.

Oddsmakers, though, aren’t going with the flow. It’s the Rays that they’ve set as -130 road favorites for Thursday afternoon’s game. Tampa Bay is 8-5 straight up this season as the away chalk.

Rays vs Rangers Odds

Odds as of June 2nd at Caesars Sportsbook. See available Caesars promo codes. 

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First pitch at Globe Life Field is set for 2:05 pm ET on Thursday, June 2. In the forecast, there’s clouds, 6 mph wind and a temperature of 81 degrees.

At a moneyline of -130, Tampa Bay is given an implied probability of victory of 54.55% in the MLB betting lines. Bet $10 on the Rays and if they win, your payout will be $18.30.

In the MLB betting trends, the public is split on this game. Spread bettors are backing the Rangers to the tune of 61%. It’s the Rays, though, that 54% of moneyline wagers are riding on. As for the total, 54% of public bets are going with the under.

In AL Division odds, the Rays are the +650 third betting option in the AL East. The Rangers are a distant fourth choice to win the AL West at a betting line of +10000. In the World Series odds, Tampa Bay is the ninth betting choice at +2000.

Tampa Bay vs Texas Probable Pitchers

Of late, veteran right-hander Corey Kluber has alternated between good start and bad start on his trips to the mound. The problem facing the Rays is that this is the bad start turn in that rotation.

In his last start, Kluber allowed three hits and one earned run in six innings against the New York Yankees. Prior to that, the Baltimore Orioles chased Kluber after three innings. He worked six innings of two-run, four-hit ball against Detroit in his previous start. But four starts ago, the Los Angeles Angels tagged Kluber for the loss. They touched him for 11 hits and eight earned runs in just three innings.

Outside of a 3 IP, 8 ER dud against the Angels, Corey Kluber has a 2.59 ERA on the season.

He's not dead yet.

— Daniel Preciado (@DanJPreciado) May 29, 2022

Kluber is 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA in nine starts against Texas, including one complete game. He’s struck out 56 against 11 walks for an impressive strikeouts/walks ratio of 5.09. This season, he’s among the top 9% in MLB in bases on balls percentage (4.3).

The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner is 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five career starts at Texas. In two starts at Globe Life Field covering 10 innings pitched, Kluber has never allowed a run and is 1-0.

Kluber vs Hearn

Analytics display exactly what a rough year it’s been for Rangers lefty Taylor Hearn. Among MLB hurlers, he’s in the bottom 6% in xERA (6.44), xwOBAcon (.478), and xwOBA (.405). As well, Hearn rates in the bottom 7% in xSLG (.560), the bottom 8% in wOBA (.378) and the bottom 3% in exit velocity (92.6).

#Rangers Taylor Hearn is 5-1 w/a 2.59 ERA in 25 #MLB day games (7 starts)

— Jeff Grant (@JeffGrantSports) May 28, 2022

That being said, Hearn was a much better pitcher in May than April. He was 3-1 with a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched. Hearn was 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in four April starts.

Against Tampa Bay, Hearn is 0-1 in three starts but with a solid 1.69 ERA. This season, he’s 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA in six home starts at Globe Life Field. Over his career, Hearn has appeared in 25 day games, including seven starts. He’s 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Tampa Bay’s Taylor Wells is 1-for-1 (1.000) against Hearn. Francisco Mejia is 1-for-2 (.500).

🚨 MARCUS SEMIEN HAS HOMERED IN 2022 🚨

(via @Rangers) pic.twitter.com/WpGCx3JefP

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 28, 2022

For the Rangers, Marcus Semien is only batting .214 off of Kluber, but he’s hit a pair of solo homers. Kole Calhoun has a homer and 2 RBI when facing Kluber, but is hitting a paltry .167.

Rays vs Rangers Prediction

As decent as Hearn has proven to be in day games over his career, Kluber has been absolutely lights out in Texas, and virtually unhittable at Globe Life Field.

Go against the Texas two step and play Tampa.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays ML (-130)