MLB Betting Previews – Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves
The Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves kick-off the second round of interleague play this Friday night in the first of a of a three-game set weekend at Turner Field. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network.
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Texas Rangers vs. Atlanta Braves Gambling
Date/Time: Friday, June 17 7:35 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Turner Field, Atlanta, GA.
Broadcast: MLB Network
Rangers at Braves lines by BetOnline.com
Moneyline: Rangers -114 Braves +104
Over/Under: 9.5 o
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Texas is reeling a bit after losing five straight games after losing its series finale with the Yankees. The Rangers are just 2-8 in their last 10 games and just a half a game ahead of Seattle in the AL West. They are 36-34 overall; 20-13 at home, but just 16-21 on the road.
The normally potent Texas offense has only managed to score a total of 12 runs in the five losses after averaging 4.65 runs a game this season. Pitching has also been suspect lately as its team ERA is now 4.00 on the year. Right hander Colby Lewis will try and turn things around for the Rangers in this one. He is 5-7 with a 4.97 ERA in 13 previous starts. Last time out he did not make it past the second inning in a loss to Minnesota; giving up six runs on seven hits against the first 13 batters he faced. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Atlanta has some issues of its own, losing three straight before pounding out a 9-8 win in Thursday’s game with the Mets. The Braves find themselves five games in back of the streaking Phillies in the NL East with a record of 39-31. They are 21-16 on the road this season and 18-15 at home.
Jason Heyward is back in the lineup, but Martin Prado remains out as Atlanta has struggled with consistency at the plate in the wake of a rash of recent injuries. It is ranked 14th in the NL in hitting and 12th in runs scored.
Tommy Hanson was scheduled to get the start tonight but has been scratched in favor of Randall Delgado due to a sore shoulder. Delgado will be making his Major League debut after pitching for the Braves’ Double-A team in Mississippi. This change has obviously had a dramatic impact on the opening money line for this game, so be sure to track this line as the day progresses.
These two teams last met in 2008 with the Rangers taking two of three at home. Bank on Texas winning the first game of this series as it takes full advantage of Hanson’s absence.
MLB Gambling Trends:
Over is 6-2 in TEX last 8 on grass.
Over is 6-2 in TEX last 8 overall.
Under is 22-7 in Lewis’ last 29 road starts.
ATL are 7-1 in their last 8 interleague home games.
Under is 13-4 in ATL last 17 games following a win.
Over is 5-2-1 in ATL last 8 on grass.
The Pick: Texas 8 vs. Atlanta 3
