Yankees vs. Rangers Prediction: Corey Kluber Expected to Step Up in Must-Win Game
By Peter Dewey
Corey Kluber’s last outing against the Texas Rangers is one he will remember fondly, as the New York Yankees starter threw a no-hitter back on May 19.
Kluber, a two-time Cy Young award winner, looked like his old self, but a shoulder injury kept him out from late May into late August of this season. Since returning on Aug. 30, Kluber hasn’t looked like the same pitcher, but he is coming off his best start since the no-hitter after tossing six scoreless innings against Cleveland on Sept. 17.
The Yankees' runline spread is set at a rare mark of 2.5-runs as they look to sweep the Rangers (though the odds are at +105), and Kluber is projected to finish with over 5.5 strikeouts at WynnBET, with the over on his prop set at -116.
Kluber has 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings since returning from the injured list, and Vegas likes his chances of putting up another strong outing to keep the Yankees’ season alive.
New York is two games behind the Boston Red Sox and half a game behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild card race in the American League. The Yankees control their own destiny, as their next six games are against the Sox and Jays, but they need a win over Texas to keep the pace heading into the season’s final weeks.
Yankees vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick
The Yankees’ lack of scoring this season has been the team’s downfall, as they are 19th in MLB in runs per game at 4.35. While the team has allowed the sixth-fewest earned runs per game this season, New York is still on the outside looking in to make the playoffs.
The five teams above them in earned run average (the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros) are all locks to make the playoffs, but New York’s offensive struggles have held it back in 2021.
For that reason, I’m not as confident in the Yankees covering by three runs in this matchup, even though the odds are favorable at +105. New York needs this game a lot more than the basement-dwelling Rangers, so while I still think it pulls this one out, give me the Rangers to cover the 2.5-run line on Wednesday night.
Can the Yankees keep their playoff hopes alive? Make your pick at WynnBET.