Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers Analysis<\/h2>\n
The Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers in the first of a three game weekend set. The Rangers are off a two-game split with Colorado at Coors Field, and the Tigers split two games with the Giants at home.<\/p>\n
Southpaw Tyler Alexander takes the bump for the visitors, and right-hander Glenn Otto gets the start for Texas. First pitch at Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:05 PM EDT.<\/p>\n
Neither team will make the playoffs this season, as Detroit has the second-worst record in the American League at 48-77, and the Rangers are 10 games below .500 at 57-67.<\/p>\n
Detroit’s Offense is a Dud<\/h3>\n
Tyler Alexander started the season in the starting rotation, moved back to the bullpen after a terrible start, and is now back in the rotation with better results.<\/p>\n
For the month of April, the southpaw’s ERA was a Snoop Dogg-high 8.76; but his four August starts have a respectable earned run average of 3.91.<\/p>\n
Alexander isn’t an overpowering pitcher with a lot of strikeouts, but he’s avoided a lot of hard contact better than he did earlier this year.<\/p>\n
In his last five starts and 27.0 innings, he’s given up three earned runs or less per outing, allowed a combined 27 hits, six walks, three home runs and struck out 12. However, he has given up one home run in each of his last two starts, and Texas is a good home run-hitting team.<\/p>\n
Although the Tigers have the 8th lowest bullpen ERA in baseball, this team’s biggest problem has been at the plate. This team just doesn’t hit very well. Detroit is dead last in OPS versus right-handed pitchers the last 30 days, and in team home runs for the year.<\/p>\n
Otto Takes Mound in Texas<\/h3>\n\nGlenn Otto hasn’t been considered a great pitcher, but he has thrown a lot better in the month of August. In four starts and 22.2 innings, he’s put up an ERA of 1.99 and a 1.19 WHIP with 14 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
The Rangers right-hander has also given up 14 walks, but has been able to pitch his way out of trouble, as he’s given up just two earned runs or less in each of his last four outings.<\/p>\n
Texas hasn’t been the most consistent hitting team this year with the 14th best OPS. But they do love the long ball as they’ve hit the 9th most long flies in MLB, and are 10th in runs scored.<\/p>\n
Starting pitching has also been an issue as the Rangers have the 21st lowest staff ERA, but are 12th best in bullpen earned run average.<\/p>\n
The Rangers have been on a hot hitting streak since the All Star break, with a team OPS of 1.011, and they’ve hit left-handed pitching well at home the last 30 days with the 2nd best OPS in the majors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers Prediction<\/h2>\n\nHandicapping this game, I give a slight edge to Otto over Alexander as it’ll be the Texas right-hander’s first time to face a weak Detroit lineup – and he’s in better current form.<\/p>\n
Both bullpens are above average, but Texas has a lot more offensive firepower than the Tigers and they’re facing a fair-to-middlin’ southpaw in Alexander at home in late August, where the ball should still carry pretty well. That’s why I’ll take the Rangers on the 1st 5 innings run line.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Texas Rangers 1st 5 Innings Run Line (-0.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Friday, August 26<\/h3>\n
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\n
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Glenn Otto hasn’t been considered a great pitcher, but he has thrown a lot better in the month of August. In four starts and 22.2 innings, he’s put up an ERA of 1.99 and a 1.19 WHIP with 14 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
The Rangers right-hander has also given up 14 walks, but has been able to pitch his way out of trouble, as he’s given up just two earned runs or less in each of his last four outings.<\/p>\n
Texas hasn’t been the most consistent hitting team this year with the 14th best OPS. But they do love the long ball as they’ve hit the 9th most long flies in MLB, and are 10th in runs scored.<\/p>\n
Starting pitching has also been an issue as the Rangers have the 21st lowest staff ERA, but are 12th best in bullpen earned run average.<\/p>\n
The Rangers have been on a hot hitting streak since the All Star break, with a team OPS of 1.011, and they’ve hit left-handed pitching well at home the last 30 days with the 2nd best OPS in the majors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers Prediction<\/h2>\n\nHandicapping this game, I give a slight edge to Otto over Alexander as it’ll be the Texas right-hander’s first time to face a weak Detroit lineup – and he’s in better current form.<\/p>\n
Both bullpens are above average, but Texas has a lot more offensive firepower than the Tigers and they’re facing a fair-to-middlin’ southpaw in Alexander at home in late August, where the ball should still carry pretty well. That’s why I’ll take the Rangers on the 1st 5 innings run line.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Texas Rangers 1st 5 Innings Run Line (-0.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Friday, August 26<\/h3>\n
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\n
Handicapping this game, I give a slight edge to Otto over Alexander as it’ll be the Texas right-hander’s first time to face a weak Detroit lineup – and he’s in better current form.<\/p>\n
Both bullpens are above average, but Texas has a lot more offensive firepower than the Tigers and they’re facing a fair-to-middlin’ southpaw in Alexander at home in late August, where the ball should still carry pretty well. That’s why I’ll take the Rangers on the 1st 5 innings run line.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Texas Rangers 1st 5 Innings Run Line (-0.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\nFirst Pitch | MLB Predictions for Friday, August 26<\/h3>\n