Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers Preview (July 7): A Last-Place Mound Matchup Worth Watching as All-Star Arm Gibson and Hot Prospect Mize Hit the Hill

There are two doubleheaders on the slate in MLB today, one in the AL and one in the NL. When I am examining the games, I am looking at teams and mound matchups to find the best MLB betting value, which means that some off-the-radar games can take the spotlight. So don’t be too shocked that Detroit vs. Texas makes the Game of the Day for Wednesday.

Detroit is in last place against this year, just this time with a pulse thanks to some young pitchers that might help lead the team back to respectability. They certainly have been that of late, posting a 6-4 record over their last 10 ballgames.

Texas has the worse record of these two last-place teams, but they are not so terrible, coming in at 20th in scoring and team ERA. That does not mean they are primed for a second-half surge, just that they might be a little better than we think. Playing in the very competitive AL West is not making their road any easier.

The top teams in the AL West might be playing nearby in Houston, but why not give a little love to the Tigers and Rangers when we can make some money here too.

Detroit Tigers (39-47) vs Texas Rangers (34-52), Bally Sports Southwest, 2:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Detroit Tigers: Casey Mize (5-5, 3.55 ERA)
• Texas Rangers: Kyle Gibson (6-0, 1.98 ERA)

Tigers vs. Rangers Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Tigers +120, Rangers -140
• Total: OVER 8 (-115), UNDER 8 (-105)
• Run Line: Tigers +1.5 (-147), Rangers -1.5 (+123)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, July 7 at 8:55 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Tigers vs. Rangers Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Tigers 20%, Rangers 80%
• Total: Over 40%, Under 60%
• Run Line: Tigers 100%, Rangers 0%

Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Tigers Might Be Competitive…But they are Still Limited

Detroit should be feeling pretty good right now because even though the weather is heating up they are actually competing. If they are going to keep it up over the course of the summer they need some bats to come alive. Depending on 2B Jonathan Schoop and OF Robbie Grossman will only take you so far, and they should probably even deal those guys if they can. OF Akil Baddoo was more than just a fun name early on, but as the season has progressed he has been exposed. This team has speed and needs to put more pressure on the defense.

It is on the mound where the Tigers have shown the most progress. They are 17th in quality starts this season. That is definitely not elite but a big step forward from where they have been the last few seasons. Their starters are giving the team a chance to win ball games and not always play from behind.

Texas Trying to Be More than Just a Couple of Superlative Performers

Slugger Joey Gallo is the most established player on the Rangers and finally, he is playing like it. OF Adolis Garcia has been a great story and he has 21 homers so far this season. After a slow start, Gallo has caught up to him with 21 homers of his own. That is thanks to 8 in his last 10 games. That power spike is apparently creating rumors of Gallo being moved to a contender. That is not going to help the Rangers tomorrow, but they are not ready to win right now and it would be the smart move to make. Texas is 20th in scoring as it is, so be mindful of that if a move is made.

Similar to Detroit, Texas is getting more out of their pitching than was expected coming into the season. They are 16th in quality starts this season, so it is more than just Kyle Gibson and his AL-leading ERA. Like with Detroit you are going to have to pick your spots, but they are not to be faded every time out even if they are in last place.

Casey Mize Home vs. Road

• Home: 2-2, 4.15 ERA, 34.2 IP, 31 Ks, 12 BBs
• Road: 3-3, 3.18 ERA, 56.2 IP, 44 Ks, 15 BBs

Kyle Gibson Home vs. Road

• Home: 5-0, 1.09 ERA, 49.2 IP, 45 Ks, 12 BBs
• Road: 1-0, 2.93 ERA, 46 IP, 36 Ks, 17 BBs

Mize has been very good this season, but his last outing was just a few innings. Does that mean he might be struggling with a first full season in the Majors? Maybe, but the matchup is still favorable. With Gibson, he has been dynamite at home this season. I don’t know where all of this new success is coming, so I am leaning to some regression coming, eventually.

Tigers vs. Rangers Best Bets: Rangers ML – I want to fade Gibson, but I don’t think this is the spot to start that strategy. That is, unless you are basing it on this game being tied when the starters exit. After that anything could happen. Those home numbers for Gibson are hard to ignore and taking on a light Detroit lineup will help. Texas’s best hitters are in better form than Detroit’s too.

July 6 MLB Betting Matchups – American League

MLB Betting Matchup: Cleveland Indians vs Tampa Bay Rays, Bally Sports Sun, 12:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cleveland Indians: J.C. Mejia (1-3, 6.18 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Michael Wacha (1-2, 5.26 ERA)

Cleveland Indians vs Tampa Bay Rays July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago White Sox vs Minnesota Twins, Bally Sports North, 1:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Chicago White Sox: Lance Lynn (8-3, 2.02 ERA)
• Minnesota Twins: Michael Pineda (3-4, 3.70 ERA)

Chicago White Sox vs Minnesota Twins July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs Kansas City Royals, Bally Sports Kansas City, 2:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Cincinnati Reds: Sonny Gray (1-4, 3.27 ERA)
• Kansas City Royals: Brady Singer (3-6, 4.74 ERA)

Cincinnati Reds vs Kansas City Royals July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels, ESPN, 4:07 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez (6-4, 5.42 ERA)
• Los Angeles Angels: Andrew Heaney (4-6, 5.40 ERA)

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles, MASN, 7:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Toronto Blue Jays: Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-5, 3.65 ERA)
• Baltimore Orioles: Matt Harvey (3-9, 7.34 ERA)

Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Oakland A’s vs Houston Astros, ATT Sportnet Southwest, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Oakland A’s: Sean Manaea (6-5, 3.13 ERA)
• Houston Astros: Luis Garcia (6-5, 3.14 ERA)

Oakland A’s vs Houston Astros July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners, ESPN, 10:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• New York Yankees: Domingo German (4-5, 4.50 ERA)
• Seattle Mariners: Yusei Kikuchi (6-3, 3.18 ERA)

New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners July 7 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More