Indians vs. Rangers Prediction: Plenty of Runs Expected in Texas
By Thomas Snodgrass
The Cleveland Indians are playing their final series as the “Indians”, as next year they will be the Cleveland “Guardians”. Change is good, but they will need more than a name change to get back in the playoff picture in 2022.
The Indians head down to Globe Life Field in Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers, and Cleveland’s starting pitcher will be right-hander Elijah Morgan (4-7, 5.27 ERA). Morgan has only allowed one earned run in his last 12 innings pitched, but has been inconsistent all year. In his previous work against Texas, Morgan pitched 4 ⅓ innings at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Aug. 24th and allowed eight hits and four runs against the Rangers.
Morgan has noticeable splits for home and road appearances. In home games at Progressive Field, Morgan has a 7.20 ERA compared to a 3.03 ERA on the road. He should welcome the trip to Texas.
Spencer Howard (0-4, 7.04) will be on the mound for the Rangers. This is a young righty with good stuff that just hasn’t put it all together yet. Howard has posted an ERA of 9.17 in his last seven starts, and has walked 24 batters in only 46 innings of work this season. Howard would certainly help himself if he could limit the free passes.
Here are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Indians vs. Rangers Odds
Moneyline:
Indians: -125
Rangers: +105
Run Line:
Indians: -1.5 (+130)
Rangers: +1.5 (-150)
Total:
9 (Over -105/Under -115)
Indians vs. Rangers Prediction
Since Sept. 15th, Cleveland has scored 80 runs, that is second only to the surging St. Louis Cardinals, and the Indians get to face a struggling Spencer Howard tonight.
While Texas has struggled to score runs this season, they have been scoring some more lately, putting up five or more runs in four of their last six games.
The Cleveland offense around third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder/DH Franmil Reyes will put enough runs on the board that his game should reach double figures.
I don’t like this pitching matchup of Morgan vs. Howard, and both offenses have enough firepower to put up a lot of runs.
I’m taking the over 9, and I’ll take the Indians on the moneyline too, at -125.
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