Texas Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Best Bet

Texas Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Date: Monday, May 22nd, 6:35 ET
Location: PNC Park
TV: SNPT
Money Line: Rangers -136/Pirates +116 (Check out the books with the best parlay odds!)
Total Line: 9

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Rangers on Monday, May 22nd at PNC Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

Rangers vs. Pirates Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Texas Rangers: 29-17 SU / OU 28-16 / Runline 30-16
Pittsburgh Pirates: 24-22 SU / OU 22-23 / Runline 24-22

The Rangers take on the Pirates in the middle of a three game winning streak and are leading the AL West on an overall record of 29-17. So far, they are 13-9 on the road and 16-8 at home. Texas’ overall series record stands at 9-4.

• The Rangers have covered the runline in five straight games and have a season-long run margin of 2.3.
• The Rangers have been favored in 58.7% of their games and have runline records of 16-8 and 14-8 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 64% of the Rangers’ 46 games at 28-16.

Heading into their game vs. the Rangers, the Pirates have a record of 24-22 and have dropped two straight games. In the NL Central, they are in 2nd place and have an overall series record of 6-6. At home, they have gone 11-11 and 13-11 on the road.

• The Pirates have two straight losses vs. the runline and have a season-long run margin of 0.4.
• The Pirates have been favored in 28.3% of their games and have runline records of 9-13 and 15-9 at home and on the road, respectively
• So far, the Pirates have an over/under record of just 22-23.

Pitching Matchup

Entering with a record of 4-0, Dane Dunning is making his 12th appearance of the season. So far, he has an ERA of 1.69 on a batting average allowed of .197. On the road, he is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 2-0 at home on an ERA of 1.38. For the season, teams have a slugging percentage of .242 against him.

Dunning picked up the win in his most recent outing, as he gave up one earned run and six hits across six innings vs. the Braves. The Rangers won the game by a score of 7-4.

The Pirates will turn to starter Luis L. Ortiz who has an overall record of 0-2. After two appearances, his ERA is 5.62 and he has a K/9 figure of 0.5. Also, he has compiled a FIP of 5.80 and an OBP of .413.

His last time on the mound, the Pirates fell to the Tigers by a score of 4-0. In the game, he allowed three earned runs on seven hits in what turned out to be a short outing.

Rangers vs. Pirates Offense Outlook

As of now, the Rangers are one of the top home run hitting teams in baseball, with a total of 63 home runs (7th). Their overall performance has been impressive, averaging 6.5 runs per game with a collective batting average of .272. When playing on the road, their slugging percentage is .401 compared to .485 at home.

Texas Rangers Top Bats

Texas Rangers Top Hitters: Last Five Games

The Pirates have played 46 games so far this season and are currently ranked 16th in the league with an average of 4.4 runs per game. In terms of home run hitting, Pittsburgh is 24th, having hit the ball out of the park 42 times. Their overall batting average is .243, including .240 on the road and .226 at home.

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Bats

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Hitters: Last Five Games

Free MLB Pick

I’m willing to lay the -1.5 runs and back the Rangers, and here is why.
Texas has been killing it at the plate scoring 43 runs in their last five games, tallying five or greater in each game. They’re 20-12 against right-handed pitching this season and face a starter Luis Ortiz who has potential but hasn’t pitched all that well (8 IP, 9 R, 5 ER, 5 W) since being blasted in his fourth start last season. Dane Dunning gets the ball for the Rangers, and he’s been excellent in his three starts this season with a 0.88 WHIP and 1.69 ERA. He has limited past history against the Pirates lineup, but the numbers are good, allowing a .133 batting over 15 at-bats. Take Texas -1.5 +115. Bet your MLB picks for FREE by scoring a massive 100% real cash bonus up to $500 at Everygame Sportsbook! (Must use bonus code PREDICTEM on their special offers page before placing your first bet!)