Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds 4/24/23 – Houston Astros will open up a three-game series against Tampa Bay Rays Monday night on the road. The Rangers, boasting an improved starting rotation and are currently leading the AL West Division while the Reds are in the midst of a rebuilding season and are last place in NL Central. Righty Nathan Eovaldi of the Rangers will oppose lefty Nick Lodolo of the Reds in the pitching matchup. MLB betting lines are up to date and the Texas Rangers are favorites to win against the Reds.
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds
Date & Time: Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:40 PM ET
Location: Great American Ball Park Cincinnati, OH
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds 4/24/23 Betting Odds
Rangers
Moneyline: -115
Spread: -1.5 (+150)
Total: 9 over (+105)
Reds
Moneyline: -105
Spread: +1.5 (-170)
Total: 9 under (-125)
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds Analysis
The Texas Rangers spent much of the offseason improving their pitching, yet their offense has emerged as one of the team’s key strengths. The Rangers boast the second-best run differential in the American League and are second overall in runs scored. Adolis Garcia made history on Saturday as part of an 18-3 Rangers victory, hitting three home runs and two doubles while driving in eight runs in an incredible performance. Texas won its series against Oakland with a 5-2 victory on Sunday behind six innings and 11 strikeouts from Jacob deGrom. Nathan Eovaldi, one of their prized free-agent acquisitions, will take to the mound Sunday for the Rangers. Eovaldi has struggled this year; posting two wins with an ERA of 5.40 from four starts but taking some heavy hits. Eovaldi currently boasts a 49.2 hard hit percentage this season, continuing his disturbing trend from last season, when his hard hit rate rose significantly from his career average of 38.6. Eovaldi’s K% has increased, reaching 25.8 compared with his career average of 22%. One factor contributing to Eovaldi’s improvement has been forcing ground balls instead of fly balls. Last season, Eovaldi allowed 23.5% fly balls; that number has decreased to 16% this season and should benefit him at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Reds have made dramatic changes to their roster, including an ambitious young pitching staff. Results have left the Reds languishing in last place in the National League Central division as they navigate their growing pains of an underperforming lineup and promising pitchers. Reds have lost 6 out of 7 games this season against Pirates, including both over the weekend. Young fireballer Hunter Greene pitched very effectively in Sunday’s series finale; allowing only one run off four hits over 6 innings pitched by him. The Reds’ offense had only four hits and struck out 13 times in their 2-0 loss. On Monday night, the Reds will turn to another of their young power arms: lefty Nick Lodolo is taking the mound in Cincinnati; Lodolo is 2-1 in 4 starts this season with an ERA of 4.68 and a WHIP of 1.71. Lodolo’s strikeout has increased while his walk rate has fallen by almost 1 per game; further, Lodolo has seen his hard hit ball% decrease from over 40% during his rookie campaign to just 38% thus far this season. Lodolo’s fly ball rate has seen an uptick this season to more than 22% which could account for his four home runs allowed already in four starts.
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds Against the Spread
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’ last 5 games. Texas are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games. Texas are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games against Cincinnati. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’ last 5 games on the road. Texas are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games. Cincinnati are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games. The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati’s last 9 games at home. Cincinnati are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Texas. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games against an opponent in the American League.
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds Free Pick
The Rangers rank second behind the Rays this season in both run differential and runs per game. Additionally, the Rangers rank seventh in home runs per game and are facing Lodolo who has allowed four homers in his last two home starts and tends to give up more fly balls per game than Eovaldi around seven percent more per game. Eovaldi’s ability to keep the ball within the park should help his cause in Cincinnati and lead to an easy Rangers win according to MLB betting analysts.
Free Pick: Texas Rangers -115
