Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves 5/17/23

The strikeout-prone Texas Rangers (26-16) will have their work cut out for them at Globe Life Field on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves (26-16) and Spencer Strider, owner of this season’s best K/9 rate, with the three-game Interleague series tied at 1-1.

The Rangers evened the series 1-1 after winning 7-4 on Tuesday. Starter Dane Dunning got the win, allowing one run on six hits over six innings, and Will Smith earned his eighth save with a scoreless ninth.

Adolis Garcia went 1 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Ronald Acuna Jr. was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Braves. Matt Olson added one run on two hits.

ON THE MOUND

Strider (4-1, 2.70 ERA) is set for the start for Atlanta. The right-hander leads the league in strikeouts (79). Strider allowed two runs (one earned) over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 3-0 road defeat against the Blue Jays on Friday.

He was charged with the loss, scattering five hits while striking out 12 and walking one. Strider is making his first appearance against the Rangers this season. Strider made one appearance against the Rangers in 2022, a 3-1 road loss on April 30.

He held Texas scoreless over 3.2 no-hit innings, striking out five and walking one. For Texas, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 2.70 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves.

Eovaldi made one start against the Braves in 2022, throwing 6.1 innings for the Red Sox in a 5-3 road defeat on May 11. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out six in the no-decision.

In his last start on Thursday, Eovaldi got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw 8.2 scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out 12 and walking one in the 4-0 victory. The right-hander is tied for third in the AL in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Atlanta has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.3. Against righties like Eovaldi this season, the Braves have a .728 OPS. Acuna Jr. is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.012 OPS in 113 at-bats.

Texas is averaging only 6.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 6.2 for the season. The Rangers have a .767 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .940 OPS over 116 at-bats, Marcus Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Atlanta is 16-7 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.7 runs per game while allowing 3.0 runs. Texas has gone 13-7 at home this season, averaging 6.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5.

In five meetings at Globe Life Field, Texas is 3-2 despite an average scoreline favoring Atlanta (5.2-4.0).