Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions

The Minnesota Twins (67-53) and Texas Rangers (56-65) play the opener of a 4-game set at Globe Life Field Thursday at 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Twins vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Twins lead 2-1

The Twins took 2 of 3 from the Kansas City Royals but dropped Wednesday’s tilt 4-1. 1B Carlos Santana hit his 16th homer of the year for the Twins’ only run as Royals RHP Cole Ragans struck out 8 over 7 solid frames. The Twins hold the 2nd Wild Card spot and are 1½ games up on the Royals.

The Rangers are in the midst of a tailspin as they’ve lost 7 of 10. They were able to salvage a game against the Boston Red Sox with a 9-7 extra-innings win. DH Adolis Garcia hit his 19th and 20th homers in the W. The defending champs are 10 games out of a playoff spot.

Twins at Rangers projected starters

RHP Bailey Ober vs. LHP Cody Bradford

Ober (12-5, 3.52 ERA) makes his 23rd start of the season. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 128 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 4-2 home victory Friday against the Cleveland Guardians
• Two career starts vs. Rangers: 1-0, 7.00 ERA (9 IP, 7 ER), 1.44 WHIP, 9.0 K/9; May 24 – Win, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 3-2 home victory

Bradford (4-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his 6th start and 7th appearance. He has a 0.94 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 30 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 9-4 victory Saturday at New York Yankees
• Career vs. Twins: 1-0, 0.00 ERA (2 IP), 0.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 2 relief appearances

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Twins at Rangers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Twins -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Rangers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Twins -1.5 (+145) | Rangers +1.5 (-175)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Twins at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Twins 5, Rangers 4

The Twins have the advantage on the bump with Ober, who is 5-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last 7 starts. The Twins are 13th with a 3.92 bullpen ERA; whereas the Rangers are 27th with a 4.64 ERA. The Twins’ offense is hit-or-miss, and that’s why there isn’t more juice on their side. But they are the correct side here. Take the TWINS -120.

Ober has 9, 7 and 11 K’s in his last 3 starts. The 9 K’s came against Cleveland, which has been one of the toughest teams to K over the last couple of years.

Take BAILEY OBER OVER 5.5 K’S (-118).

It’s projected to be 99 degrees with a 9-mph gust blowing in from left-center. The Twins are 5-4-1 O/U in their last 10, and the Rangers are 6-3-1. The Over is 5-3-2 in the last 10 matchups as well.

This is my least-favorite bet of the bunch, but the trends tell me this one sneaks OVER 8 (-115).

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