Rangers vs. Orioles odds for Game 2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened with Baltimore as a short -130 favorite.
Texas took care of business in Game 1 with a 3-2 victory and will look to build upon that success.
Let's preview Game 2 of the ALDS between Texas and Baltimore and make a Rangers vs. Orioles betting pick.
Rangers vs. Orioles Odds
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +155 | 7.5 -110o / -110u | -110 |
| Orioles Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -188 | 7.5 -110o / -110u | -106 |
Texas Rangers
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery takes the mound for Texas and should be a good candidate to back in this contest. Through 32 starts in the regular season, he posted a 3.20 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
That success continued with a dominant start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round. In that outing, Montgomery tossed seven shutout innings.
His underlying metrics aren't the strongest, but he still ranks in the top half of the league in xERA, average exit velocity, Chase%, BB%, Barrel% and Hard-Hit%. That success is likely to continue against Baltimore, a team he has dominated over the past couple of seasons.
Over his past six starts against the Orioles, Montgomery boasts a 2.53 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Run support shouldn't be a problem for the left-hander as Texas ended the regular season ranked in the top three of the league in BA, SLG, OPS and wOBA.
Baltimore Orioles
The Rangers' offensive success is likely to continue against right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. It is difficult enough to make your first playoff start, let alone against a powerhouse lineup like the Rangers.
Furthermore, Rodriguez has struggled mightily against the Rangers this year. Over two starts, the rookie went 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP.
His underlying metrics aren't as strong as Montgomery's as he ranks lower in xERA, average exit velocity, BB% and Hard-Hit%. Not only is the pitching in favor of Texas, but Baltimore also ranks lower in every offensive category on the board.
Rangers vs. Orioles
Betting Pick & Prediction
Should this game be around the pick 'em mark? Absolutely, but bet365 hanging -130 for the Orioles in a matchup where they are starting a rookie right-hander who has struggled against a team with the superior lineup seems a bit much, especially with how well Montgomery has thrown recently.
Texas has teed off on Rodriguez this year. Through 36 career plate appearances against the rookie, the Rangers boast a .281 BA, a .656 SLG and a .421 wOBA.
At plus-money, give me the Rangers to extend their series lead to 2-0.
