If you haven't been following my baseball bets for the past few weeks, you've likely been missing out. Even when I'm not hitting a full game bet, I've been getting some good results with the player props we've taken. I'm not tooting my own horn here. I know the tide can turn at any moment, but you try to ride winning streaks and stretches as long as possible. I'm hoping to keep the good work coming here as the Rangers take on the Angels.
The Texas Rangers are looking for their path to the postseason. It is hard to say exactly how they can get there if it isn't by winning their division. I personally think the Wild Card race will be too cluttered for them to win it. Last year, the third Wild Card spot had a record of 87-75, and I don't see the Rangers getting to be 12 games over .500 this season. They currently sit at 59-59, which is even more remarkable considering they were 81-81 last year. So over their past 280 games, they are exactly .500.
Based on most of their stats, it seems like they are going to need pitching to lead the way. That was probably a fairly easy prediction at the beginning of the season when examining the roster. Today, they send out MacKenzie Gore to the hill. For the season, Gore is 6-9 with a 4.55 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Those aren't overly encouraging numbers, but he does have 140 strikeouts to go with it. He has made two starts against the Angels, and it has been a mixed bag. In the first outing, he allowed one earned run over six innings. Then last time, he allowed seven earned runs in five innings.
Texas Rangers Giving Away Blood-Stained Nolan Ryan Jerseys
The Los Angeles Angels, as usual, haven't had much go right this season and do not have a path to the playoffs. That may be an overstatement; they technically aren't eliminated, but they have the worst record in baseball. The team did make some decent moves at the trade deadline, but they were for the future, not things that will make a difference this year. They have an aggressive owner, but he mostly spends on guys who are headed toward the end of their careers.
One guy that the Angels kept, despite interest, was Reid Detmers and he takes the hill tonight. Detmers is just 27 years old, so he still should have some strong seasons ahead of him. I'm not sure where scouts view him, but I have him with a ceiling of being a number two starter. More likely, he will be a third guy on a playoff team. Detmers is 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He is 10th in the league in strikeouts with 150 of them this season. As long as he stays healthy, he will set a career high in strikeouts this season, and it will be his best WHIP ever and second-best ERA.
Detmers has very similar results to Gore. Against the Angels, he has had one good start and one rough one. In May, he went eight innings and allowed just one solo homer while striking out 14 hitters. The next time, Texas was ready for him. He allowed five earned runs in four innings. He did still have six strikeouts.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Tonight, you can probably look at a strikeout prop on Detmers. 8+ strikeouts comes in at +132, which is a decent number, but he has hit the number in eight of his 23 starts (35% of the time). If I take a shot on this, it will be at a small amount. I don't have a look on the total, but the Rangers are playing good baseball lately, and the Angels had to travel across the country to play this game. Texas is the right side in this game, and at -112, I'll happily take them.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
