A season's full of really good work by the Texas Rangers (38-38 SU, +12.80 Units) has largely been erased over the course of a 1-8 stretch here to end the month of June. A four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (40-34 SU, +5.98 Units) begins on Monday and could act as a panacea.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The fact that the Rangers are so cold right now and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn is why Baltimore is favored in this game. Theoretically, the Orioles should be at a bit of a disadvantage, knowing that they have to play two on Sunday thanks to bad weather on Saturday, and for our money, Texas has the better pitcher on the mound.
The margin has opened up at Baltimore -140 alongside a total of 8.5.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Bud Norris has been a gas can this year for the Orioles, and we wonder whether he is going to be able to keep his spot on the team, let alone his spot in the rotation.
The righty allowed five more runs in his last start, and even though they were all unearned, they aren't going to make Buck Showalter feel any better. Norris is allowing a ton of contact, and he isn't throwing enough strikes, so it shouldn't be surprising that he is sporting a 6.70 ERA coming into this one.
Wandy Rodriguez will take the ball for the Rangers. He had his hand in this losing skid, giving up eight runs in just four frames against the A's at home in his last outing. Still, he hadn't allowed more than three runs in six straight starts prior to that.
We're a little worried that Rodriguez is leaving the ball up a little more, resulting in three home runs in his last seven innings of work, but we know that he is historically a ground ball pitcher, which should come in handy in this one.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're getting to a point of the year where how you construct a lineup is about what gives you the best ability to win that day." – Rangers manager Jeff Banister when asked about his inconsistent outfield rotation
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Rangers and their 4.46 bullpen ERA leaves them ranked near the bottom of baseball in relief. The pen has been just as much a part of this losing skid as anything else.
Meanwhile, Baltimore's bullpen sports a 2.77 ERA. Sure, there is always some concern about having to come in for a pitcher who surely won't go more than six innings the day after a doubleheader, but Buck Showalter has done a reasonable job of not taxing his relievers.
PROP TALK
We're not really all that sure if we’re going to see either Shin-Soo Choo or Joey Gallo in this game, but if either is in the lineup, it's certainly buyer beware for prop purposes. Gallo has 22 strikeouts in his last 40 at bats with just six hits in that span.
Choo is 0-for-12 and has just five hits in his last 44 at bats.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Rangers really need to get out of this slump, and Norris is the perfect candidate to play the role of slumpbuster. However, we know that Texas, a team which really feels like it just doesn't have a batting lineup to speak of at the moment, couldn't hit a beach ball right now let alone a baseball.
We begrudgingly will accept backing the Orioles in this game, hoping merely that Rodriguez is going to get shelled for the second straight outing.
Baltimore 7, Texas 4
The baseball betting odds for this Monday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Orioles debuted at -140 with an initial total posted at 8.5. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles will start at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. You can watch the contest live on ESPN.
