Twins vs. Rangers Prediction and Odds for Saturday, July 9 (Perez is Automatic at Home)

The 37-43 Texas Rangers host the 47-38 Minnesota Twins this afternoon at 4:05 PM EST in the midst of a slump. They'd lost four straight entering the series, but get their ace on the mound today.

Martin Perez hasn't picked up a loss since April 17th as he's been nothing short of sensational. He's got a 2.14 ERA at home and he's given up just two runs combined in his last three starts at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Minnesota turns to fellow lefty Devin Smeltzer, who's thrown three start quality starts. The 26-year-old southpaw does have a 4.10 road ERA though, so we'll see if his recent success is a product of comfort at home or if he can bring the same fire to the road.

Will Perez's brilliance at home snap Texas' cold streak or will Byron Buxton and Luis Arraez hand him his first loss in nearly three months?

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook as we analyze this Twins vs Rangers matchup:

Twins vs Rangers Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Twins: +1.5 (-200)
• Rangers: -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline:

• Twins: +100
• Rangers: -121

Total:

• 8 (Over -115/Under -105)

Twins vs Rangers Prediction and Pick

I can't say enough good things about Martin Perez this year. He's been automatic, especially at home, and should slow down a surging Twins lineup that ranks ninth in OPS against left-handed pitchers over the last three weeks. Perez goes deep into games, limits hard contact, and always puts the Rangers in a position to win.

Devin Smeltzer has been impressive too, but his 4.90 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is more than two runs worse than Perez's (2.84) and the Rangers mash lefty's.

Minnesota's bullpen has been terrible recently, while Texas has one of MLB's best groups of relievers. At a short price, I'm happy to back Perez to continue his dominant stretch of play. He hasn't lost since mid-April, why start now?

Pick: Rangers ML (-121)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.