August has not been so kind to the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. Fortunately, we get a series of division leaders up next this weekend. We dig into this Thursday night matchup with the Minnesota Twins at home against the Texas Rangers. Naturally, these two teams feature contrasting styles for success. The Rangers and Twins are firmly a clash to zero in on. Now, VegasBetting ends the MLB week with Rangers vs Twins Betting Picks.
Can the Texas Rangers snap out of their funk before Houston takes their division lead away?
For These teams, the struggle has been real. So, this Thursday starts a new series for both teams. Normally, this would be almost a getaway day for some teams. Consider that the weather should not be an issue on this night. That is a welcome change for Texas, which has endured one dry, hot summer. Meanwhile, Minnesota is enduring a smaller version of that heat wave. The problem is both teams are a little off right now.
The splits favor Minnesota slightly, as Texas only has a .500 record on the road. Minnesota is 36-26 at home, but their record outside of the AL Central is also around .500. Meanwhile, Texas has managed to win 17 of their first 22 games versus the AL Central. Time and losses are piling up for Texas, though. MLB Prime Online Betting Odds like, err, have faith in the Rangers’ offense.
Texas ranks second overall in baseball while scoring 5.6 runs a game. That is hard to keep contained for long. Honestly, the Rangers play what we call “downhill baseball” where they get a lead and let the other runs fall where they may. Texas has another team to watch out for in the form of the red hot Seattle Mariners. Seattle has won nine of their previous ten contests to get within a couple of games of the division lead. Texas needs some wins.
Thanks to the BetOnline online Sportsbook Vegas review, we get some decent numbers for a road underdog who plays better against a weaker division leader. If Texas wants to keep their playoff chances high, the Rangers must find a way to snap this losing streak. This will not be easy against a Twins team teetering close to .500.
Alright, the Rangers vs Twins Betting Picks do not have to worry about the weather this Thursday. Thankfully, they only need to worry about the product on the field. Lately, that has been an adventure for both teams. Minnesota has split their last ten games, including a nasty loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. It probably was a game they should have won. These types of losses have plagued Minnesota too often in 2023.
The worst news applies to the Texas Rangers. For Texas, it is not so much the six straight losses, and this is more how Houston and Seattle have climbed back into the division race. Before this streak, the Rangers had a 98% chance of making the playoffs. That number dropped to 73% going into Thursday’s action. It gets difficult to keep an offense of their magnitude down. Texas knows what is at stake as September looms.
Numbers seem to be trending away from Texas making the playoffs. Despite their top-of-the-line offense, the feeling is teams like Toronto, Seattle, and Houston are just better right now. However, the Rangers are capable of playing at a level that scares lighter-hitting teams especially. Minnesota falls into that equation along with the entire American League Central. Honestly, that is why Texas has feasted against this division.
The three-team race in the American League West is something else. While it has been unkind to the Rangers the past week, it should not diminish what Texas has managed to do this season. Minnesota may be the perfect team to get back on track. The Rangers have nine players with ten or more home runs, led by Adolis Garcia (31 HR’s, 93 RBI’s). Corey Seager needs to stay healthy. Texas is so much better and a great pick with him in the lineup.
With the chance of more runs in the air, rolling the Over in the Rangers vs Twins Betting Picks ponders the team or game over on Thursday night. That 8.5 runs is a solid number, considering Pablo Lopez is on the mound. Lopez has thrived against the AL Central, but how will he fare against a potent and angry Texas offense? That is quite the unknown.
Sadly, these two teams have different problems. August has seen Texas score about a run less a game while yielding almost a run more from their pitching. Minnesota keeps playing right around .500, which again is good enough to keep Cleveland in the rearview. However, the Twins do not scare the top teams in the American League. Texas is still one of them.
That team Over number for Texas hangs like dangling fruit. Again, any win is a huge momentum shift for Texas. Meanwhile, the firepower of the Rangers outworks a team like the Twins. Texas can get to the Minnesota bullpen. Numbers trend more and more to Texas. The 5.5 alternate over rolls in at +120. With 3.5 a laughable -135, go a little higher on Thursday or even roll with the game over.
MLB Top Vegas Online Betting Sites keep looking to the first five-inning moneyline. Furthermore, at +136, it features more projected value than the overall moneyline (+112 on Bovada).
Summary
Chris Wassel AA, AAS CURRENTLY Sports Writer and Journalist RESIDES IN Rahway, NJ EDUCATION Union County College, Montclair State University EXPERTISE Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more Summary Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups. Works on injuries for a variety of sites. Edits articles from NASCAR to football and beyond. Occasionally runs sites like mynhltraderumor.com and Full Press Hockey/Bets. Does a podcast for Full Press Hockey and a few other sports too. Experience Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines. His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too. Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, Chris does focus on things like fitness, fishing, and sports. One would be surprised that Chris runs, hikes, and rock climbs. There are even those occasional mini-triathlons. One truly can pack a lot in a small package. Chris can lift things over his body weight with ease. Also, if there is a NASCAR rain prop, Chris can tell you if there will be a Monday race. Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a wide range of places from Amazon to USA Today to a variety of rumors and fantasy sports sites. Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings that Chris sports in his house. Education Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams. Quote from Chris Wassel "Shut up and play.”
Education
1999 Graduate of Union County College
1993 Graduate of Rahway High School
Professional Achievements
Media credentialed member of the New Jersey Devils since 2010
Covered several NHL Drafts including the one day event in Newark in 2013
Been on countless podcasts, TV shows, and more including Sportsnet and even NHL Network