Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs St. Louis Cardinals 6/5/23

The Texas Rangers (38-20) and their MLB-best offense are set to host the St. Louis Cardinals (25-35) at Globe Life Field on Monday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Cardinals are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Pirates, dropping the finale 2-1 on Sunday at PNC Park. Andrew Knizner was 1 for 4 with a solo home run.

The Rangers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mariners, taking the finale 12-3 on Sunday at Globe Life Field. Corey Seager went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double. He scored three runs and had two RBIs.

Josh Jung went 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time since May 19, 2019, when the Rangers finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-4 extra innings victory at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

ON THE MOUND

Adam Wainwright (2-1, 6.15 ERA) is in line to start for St. Louis. The righty allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-0 road defeat against the Royals on May 29. He was charged with the loss, scattering nine hits while striking out six and walking two.

LHP Martin Perez (6-1, 4.43 ERA) will toe the rubber for Texas. In his last start on Tuesday, Perez took a no-decision on the road against the Tigers. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking four in the 10-6 win.

AT THE PLATE

The St. Louis offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .253/.328/.428. Nolan Gorman leads the team in OPS at .927. The second baseman is slashing .276/.364/.564 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 24 runs over 54 games.

Over the last five games, however, St. Louis has averaged only 2.2 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.194/.259/.325). Against lefties like Perez this season, the Cards have a .782 OPS.

Tommy Edman is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .936 OPS in 54 at-bats. Texas is slashing .276/.342/.457 for the season and averaging 6.5 runs per game, best in MLB.

Four Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Marcus Semien (.877). The shortstop has nine home runs, 47 RBIs, and 54 runs scored with a slash line of .304/.371/.506. Texas is averaging 8.4 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.346/.403/.574).

The Rangers have a .785 OPS against righties in 2023, third highest in MLB. With a .907 OPS over 168 at-bats, Semien also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 13-19 in 2023. The Cards have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.3 runs.

Texas has won six in a row at their home ballpark. The Rangers are 19-8 at home this season, averaging 7.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.2.