We are now not that far away from the midway point of the MLB season, which means that it’s not entirely ridiculous to start talking about the playoff race and the Wild Card situation in particular. There are some big leads starting to develop across the divisions, which helps prompt the discussion about the teams vying for those coveted playoff spots. As we have seen in seasons past, a lot of things can change quite dramatically in the second half of the season, but to be in the hunt at this stage is still a sign for teams that things are going somewhat well.
This series is a particularly interesting one, as we are looking at a pair of teams in very similar situations. Both are sitting in second in their respective division, but both are also well off the pace being set by the leaders. Both will still believe that they can overhaul those deficits, but they are also likely to be looking at the Wild Card as a realistic way in. The Rangers won the opening game, but they are in as a 1 ½ run underdog for this one. The run total for this one is set for 10 ½.
Indians vs Rangers MLB Odds, Game Info & Expert Pick
- When: Tuesday, June 18 at 8:05 PM EST
- Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington
- Starting Pitchers: Plesac vs. Sampson
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: 105.3 The Fan
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Odds: Cleveland Indians -115 (Total 10.5)
Rockies vs Diamondbacks Lines & Game Analysis
Why bet on the Cleveland Indians?
The Cleveland Indians have been a playoff regular over the past few seasons, mostly because they have been playing in an AL Central Division that has been routinely weak. That is not the case this year, though, with the Minnesota Twins emerging as one of the best teams in the AL. As it stands right now, the Indians find themselves 10 games off the pace at 37-34 on the season.
Over the last 10 games, the Indians have gone 6-4, a run that is doing little to help them make any inroads on the deficit at the top of the division. They are, though, not sitting too far off the pace in the Wild Card race, a game and a half back of the final spot there. They are playing .500 ball on the road and are 9-13 ATS as a road favorite. They will have Zach Plesac (1-2, 2.92 ERA) on the mound here.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.25
- Hits: 7.59
- Walks: 3.72
- Strike Outs: 8.52
Defense
- Runs: 4.20
- Hits: 7.89
- Walks: 2.85
- Strike Outs: 9.44
Why bet on the Texas Rangers?
The Texas Rangers have very quietly been putting together a decent run of form that has seen them move up into second in the AL West, 8 ½ games off the pace being set by the Houston Astros. Given how the leaders have been playing, the Rangers are going to have a very tough time closing that gap, but they are in very good shape in the Wild Card right now, as they are currently in possession of the #2 spot there.
Texas is 39-33 on the season and is on a run that has seen them go 6-4 in their last 10 games. Perhaps more importantly, at least from a betting standpoint, they have covered the spread in 9 of their last 10. As a home dog, they are a stellar 16-5 ATS. They will have Adrian Sampson (5-3, 4.21 ERA) on the mound on Tuesday.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.65
- Hits: 8.78
- Walks: 3.72
- Strike Outs: 9.90
Defense
- Runs: 5.11
- Hits: 9.33
- Walks: 3.61
- Strike Outs: 8.39
Red Sox vs Twins MLB Odds, Game Info & Pick for Tuesday Night
Indians vs Rangers MLB Betting Trends
- Indians are 41-48 against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons
- Rangers are 39-33 against the money line in all games this season
- Rangers are 1-0 against Cleveland this season
- 1 of 1 games in this series have gone Under the Total this season
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Indians vs Rangers
The Rangers took the opening game of this series with a convincing 7-2 win and you have to like them to be up for this one, too. I have them winning here, but if you want to play it safe, take the rangers ATS.
Score: Cleveland Indians 4 – Texas Rangers 5
