The Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, July 20, 2025. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Rangers will look to complete a three-game sweep over the Tigers on Sunday Night Baseball, but are heavy underdogs as Tarik Skubal (2.23 ERA, 121 IP) will hope to help his side snap a six-game losing skid in a matchup versus Jacob Latz (3.00 ERA, 48 IP).
Find my Sunday Night Baseball preview and Tigers vs Rangers prediction below.
My Tigers vs Rangers Prediction
- Tigers vs Rangers pick: Tarik Skubal to Record a Win -105 (DraftKings, bet365 | Play to -115)
My Tigers vs Rangers best bet is Skubal to Record a Win -105. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Tigers vs Rangers Odds
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -107 | 7 -110 / -110 | -186 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -112 | 7 -110 / -110 | +154 |
Tigers vs Rangers Projected Starting Pitchers
| LHP Tarik Skubal (DET) | Stat | LHP Jacob Latz (TEX) |
|---|---|---|
| 10-3 | W-L | 1-0 |
| 4.7 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.6 |
| 2.23/ 2.43 | ERA /xERA | 3.00/ 3.51 |
| 2.02/ 2.36 | FIP / xFIP | 3.49/ 3.96 |
| 0.83 | WHIP | 1.21 |
| 29.9% | K-BB% | 13.8% |
| 41.9% | GB% | 43.3% |
| 109 | Stuff+ | 104 |
| 103 | Location+ | 97 |
Nick Martin’s Tigers vs Rangers Preview
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
Skubal will be looking to bounce back from two poor showings in this matchup. He allowed four earned runs across five innings of work versus the Seattle Mariners in his final start before the All-Star break, before allowing three hits and two earned runs in his lone inning in the All-Star Game.
Skubal struggled with command in his ugly start versus the Mariners, but his pitch velocities were on par with his typical starts and do not suggest any cause for concern. Having thrown only one inning in the All-Star game, he enters this matchup well-rested, with his previous start coming on July 11.
Over his last six starts, Skubal has continued to pitch at an extremely high level with a 2.93 ERA and 2.25 xFIP. He holds a K-rate of 35% in that span and an xBA of .199. He's managed to work at least five innings in every start this season and recorded wins in 52.3% of his outings.
The Tigers' bats have gone cold during their six-game losing skid, specifically in the first two outings of this series, where they have recorded only one run. Even still, the Tigers rank ninth in wRC+ over the last 30 days and eighth in ISO.
Detroit has been very effective versus left-handed pitching this season, as it currently ranks third in wRC+ versus lefties and fourth in weighted on-base average. It ranks fifth in BB:K ratio versus lefties and holds the 10th-highest hard-hit rate in the league.
Kerry Carpenter is currently the only position player on the Tigers' IL.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
Despite combining for only eight hits in the first two matchups of this series, the Rangers have been able to come up with two important victories and cut into the deficit they face in the race for the final AL Wild Card spot, thanks to some tremendous pitching.
Pitching has been the Rangers' greatest strength this season — their staff currently ranks first in baseball with an ERA of 3.25, which has them sitting with a record above .500 despite the team ranking 24th in runs scored per game.
Texas also ranks 25th with a wRC+ rating of 89 this season and holds the seventh-worst BB:K ratio in the league, as well as the 19th-lowest hard-hit rate.
The Rangers have struggled mightily versus left-handed pitchers in particular as they hold a wRC+ of 74 versus lefties this season and hold an OPS of just .619. The Rangers are currently offering a more complete lineup than they have throughout other parts of the campaign, though Jake Burger, Joc Pederson and Sam Haggerty are still on the IL.
Nathan Eovaldi was originally scheduled to face off against Skubal in this matchup but has been scratched due to tightness in his back — as a result, Latz will make a spot start.
Latz has pitched four or more innings three times this season, including six strong innings on June 24 versus the Baltimore Orioles. He has not seen game action since July 10 and should be more than capable of taking on four or more innings in this matchup.
Latz has pitched to an xERA of 3.51 and an xFIP of 3.96 this season. His four-pitch mix grades out quite well as he holds a Stuff+ rating of 105, as well as a Pitching+ rating of 108.
Tigers vs Rangers Prediction, Betting Analysis
This sets up as a great spot for the reigning AL Cy Young winner to carry the Tigers to a much-needed win in a big spot on Sunday Night Baseball. The Rangers have been among the league's worst offenses in the league versus left-handed pitching this season, and likely will struggle to produce anything in a matchup against arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
The Tigers' bats have gone cold recently, but a larger sample of play still suggests they still offer one of the league's better lineups. A matchup versus Latz and the Rangers bullpen is far from easy, but Detroit should be capable of offering a little run support to Skubal, who will likely only need one or two runs to leave in line for a win.
Skubal has pitched at least five innings in every single start this season and has given himself plenty of opportunities to record wins. He enters this soft matchup off some extra rest and appears poised for a dominant outing.
Pick: Skubal to Record a Win -105 (DraftKings; bet365)
Moneyline
Given that my favorite play from this matchup lies in backing Skubal to record a win, I obviously lean towards betting the Tigers at -185, but believe there is a lot more value at -105 to back Skubal recording a win.
Run Line (Spread)
Backing the Tigers to cover the run line at -105 looks to provide some value and is a viable option for those who cannot bet on Skubal to record a win.
Over/Under
Given the quality of the starting pitching matchup taking place at one of baseball's most pitcher-friendly ballparks, a low total of 7 seems well warranted.
