The Texas Rangers (47-30) and their league-best offense are set to host the Detroit Tigers (33-43) at Globe Life Field on Monday to open a four-game series.
The Tigers are kicking off a seven-game road trip after closing out a six-game homestand (3-3). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Twins, dropping the finale 6-3 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Matt Vierling was 1 for 2 with two walks and one run.
The Rangers are back home for an eight-game homestand after concluding a six-game road trip (3-3). They lost two of three against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Jonah Heim went 2 for 4 with a solo home run. Leody Taveras added a double and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Rangers have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they dropped a close one 3-2 in their last meeting on May 31 at Comerica Park. Will Vest threw 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get the win, and Alex Lange picked up his 10th save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Matthew Boyd (5-5, 5.37 ERA) is set to start for Detroit. The LHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 9-4 road win over the Royals on Wednesday. He got the win, scattering six hits while striking out seven.
Boyd has made one previous start against the Rangers this season, a 5-0 home loss on May 29. He surrendered five runs on five hits over six innings, striking out five and walking four.
For Texas, lefty Andrew Heaney (5-4, 3.98 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Tigers. In his last start on June 19, Heaney got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six, in the 5-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Detroit offense is averaging 3.7 runs per game for the season, the second lowest in the league, with a slash line of .229/.302/.362. Zach McKinstry leads the team in OPS at .694.
The second baseman is slashing .242/.332/.362 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, and 30 runs over 69 games. Against lefties like Heaney this season, the Tigers have a .696 OPS.
Spencer Torkelson is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .789 OPS in 53 at-bats. Texas is slashing .271/.340/.453 for the season and averaging 5.9 runs per game, the best in the league. Adolis Garcia leads the team with a .826 OPS.
The right fielder has 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 55 runs scored with a slash line of .262/.333/.493. Texas is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.261/.320/.413).
The Rangers have a .827 OPS against left-handers in 2023, second highest in the league. With a 1.035 OPS over 71 at-bats, Josh Jung has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 15-22 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.4 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Texas has gone 24-13 at their home park this season, averaging 6.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In six games at Globe Life Field between the teams, Detroit is 4-2 with an average scoreline of 7.2-5.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are third in the AL Central, four games behind the division-leading Twins. The Rangers lead the AL West by six games over the Angels.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers -1.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
