The Texas Rangers (65-86) host the Cleveland Guardians (85-67) at Globe Life Field on Sunday with the visitors in position for a sweep of the three-game series. The Guardians lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-2 on Saturday, their sixth straight victory overall and fourth in five games against the Rangers this season. Cal Quantrill went six innings to get the win, allowing one run on five hits, and Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth to pick up his 39th save. Oscar Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs in the win. Andres Gimenez added a solo home run and a double. Marcus Semien went 2 for 3 with a solo home run for the Rangers. Sam Huff added a solo home run.
ON THE MOUND
Aaron Civale (2-6, 5.29 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Cleveland. The right-hander allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 10-7 home win over the White Sox on Tuesday. He scattered four hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Civale is making his first appearance against the Rangers this season. Civale made one start against the Rangers in 2021, a 6-0 road victory on October 3. He allowed three hits over six scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one. For Texas, left-hander Cole Ragans (0-2, 5.40 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Guardians. In his last start on Tuesday, Ragans took a no-decision at home against the Angels. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out five, in the 5-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 6.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, thanks in part to improved slugging (.409 vs .383). Against lefties like Ragans this season, the Guardians have a .652 OPS, fifth lowest in the league. Gimenez is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .882 OPS in 104 at-bats. Texas is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Rangers have a .682 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .807 OPS over 380 at-bats, Nathaniel Lowe has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is on an eight-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 45-35 in 2022. The Guardians have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.9 runs. Texas has gone 32-44 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In five games between the teams at Globe Life Field, Cleveland is 4-1 with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians lead the AL Central by nine games over the White Sox. Their magic number to clinch the division is two. The Rangers are fourth in the AL West, 34 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
