The Wild Card round of the MLB playoffs starts on Tuesday afternoon with a Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 matchup at 3:08 p.m. ET. With Jordan Montgomery set to oppose Tyler Glasnow in the pitching matchup, what’s the best bet for today’s playoff game?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
943 Texas Rangers (+130) at 944 Tampa Bay Rays (-155); o/u 7.5
3:08 p.m. ET, Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Tropicana Field, Tampa, FL
Rangers vs. Rays Game 1Public Betting Information
As of this writing, our MLB Public Betting Page shows that 67% of bets are on the Rays’ moneyline. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Texas Rangers DFS SPIN
The Rangers will have Jordan Montgomery start Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Rays. This was a given. Nothing further has been announced, but Nathan Eovaldi figures to start Game 2 in spite of his struggles since returning from a forearm injury. Game 3 could be Dane Dunning on three days’ rest after he was given a quick hook Sunday. Andrew Heaney also figures to factor in somewhere, whether it’s in relief of Eovaldi in Game 2 or perhaps in tandem with Dunning in Game 3.
Tampa Bay Rays DFS SPIN
Tyler Glasnow is expected to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Rangers on Tuesday. The Rays gave Glasnow a bit of a breather his last time out, pulling him after only 70 pitches after firing five scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday. The 30-year-old hurler had a terrific regular season, posting a 10-7 record, 3.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 162/37 K/BB ratio over 120 innings in his 21 starts. Zach Eflin is expected to start Game 2 for the Rays.
Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 MLB Betting Trends
Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The Over/Under has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games at home
The Over/Under has gone OVER in 9 of Tampa Bay’s last 10 games
Rangers vs. Rays Game 1MLB BETTING PREDICTION
I’m backing Texas. Montgomery and Glasnow have similar expected metrics against the opposing roster. Glasnow owns a .219 expected batting average against the current Texas roster, with a .501 expected slug and a .363 xwOBA. Montgomery’s metrics are slightly better against Tampa Bay’s current roster, with an expected batting average against of .278, an expected slug of .413 and an xwOBA of .345. Montgomery has been stellar for the Rangers since he was acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline. He will give Texas backers an opportunity to cash as a moneyline dog.
Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 MLB Playoffs Prediction: TEXAS RANGERS +130
