The Texas Rangers (65-85) host the Cleveland Guardians (84-67) at Globe Life Field on Saturday. The Guardians took Friday’s series opener 6-3, their fifth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Rangers this season. Starter Cody Morris got the win, allowing two runs (1 ER) on four hits over five innings and striking out five, and Emmanuel Clase earned his 38th save with a scoreless ninth. Josh Naylor was 1 for 3 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Josh Smith went 2 for 3 with one RBI for the Rangers.
ON THE MOUND
Cal Quantrill (13-5, 3.56 ERA) is in line to get the start for Cleveland. The right-hander allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 11-4 road win over the Twins on Monday. He earned the win, yielding nine hits while striking out two and walking one. Quantrill has made one previous start against the Rangers this season, a 6-3 home victory on June 7. He surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings, striking out three and walking one. For Texas, right-hander Glenn Otto (6-9, 4.88 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Guardians. In his last start on Sunday, Otto took the loss on the road against the Rays. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out three, in the 5-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 7.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, while performing better across the board (.284/.348/.443). Against right-handed pitchers like Otto this season, the Guardians have a .713 OPS. Steven Kwan has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .385 OBP in 418 at-bats. Texas is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.5 for the season. The Rangers have a .681 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .812 OPS over 377 at-bats, Nathaniel Lowe has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is on a seven-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 44-35 in 2022. The Guardians have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.9 runs. Texas has gone 32-43 at Globe Life Field this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Cleveland is 3-1 in four meetings at Globe Life Field with an average scoreline of 5.8-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians lead the AL Central by eight games over the White Sox. Their magic number to clinch the division is four. The Rangers are fourth in the AL West, 33 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
