Rangers vs Tigers Odds, Prediction & Pick | MLB Betting Preview

The Texas Rangers haven't had the start to the season they hoped for, but they enter the second game of this series against the Detroit Tigers one game above .500 (9-8).

The latest Rangers vs Tigers odds for Tuesday have the Rangers installed as -121 road favorites on the moneyline, with an over/under set at 8.5.

Jon Gray will take the mound for the Rangers on Tuesday, and although he's been shaky, he gets to face a Detroit team that has struggled against right-handers. The Tigers will counter with Casey Mize, who doesn't strike out many batters and gives up a sizable number of hard-hit balls, which should propel the Rangers to score early and often — though it's worth noting Adolis Garcia (rest) isn't in Texas' lineup.

Let's get into my Rangers vs Tigers prediction for Tuesday.

Gray has been pretty underwhelming this season after putting together some clutch appearances in the 2023 playoffs. He has walked over 11% of the batters he has faced this year and is allowing an average exit velocity over 90 mph and a hard-hit rate in the 10th percentile.

As a result, he has a 4.38 ERA and a 7.66 xERA. Across three starts, the veteran has allowed three homers and has only once made it through five innings. However, the Tigers struggle against righties, so Gray could put together one of his better performances.

Offensively, Texas has six hitters with an xwOBA over .330 against right-handed pitchers, meaning they should be able to get to Mize. Against right-handers, the Rangers hold a 125 wRC+ with a sub-18% strikeout rate and 10.1% walk rate. Texas also crushed righties in 2023, so this is nothing new.

In relief, the Rangers have some issues. José Leclerc hasn't been reliable. José Ureña is putting together a nice season, as are Kirby Yates and David Robertson, but injuries to Brock Burke and Josh Sborz are troubling.

Mize has a tall task ahead of him. The former No. 1 overall pick does a good job of keeping the ball on the ground and holding an above-average walk rate. Otherwise, there's not much to write home about.

His average exit velocity allowed is almost 95 mph and his hard-hit rate is above 50%. He also has a strikeout rate under 15%. Yes, Texas' success against right-handers comes via a small sample size this early in the season, but still highlights a mismatch in this contest.

Offensively, the Tigers continue to struggle against right handers. Sure, they could work the count and get to a short-handed bullpen, but they have nearly a 25% strikeout rate and an 82 wRC+ off righties this season.

The Tigers' relief staff is a bit more reliable. Jason Foley has been great in the closer role and Andrew Chafin is a decent veteran in the back end. However, only Tyler Holton and Joey Wentz have an xFIP under 4.00.

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The Rangers' lineup is as potent as it was in 2023. Josh Jung getting hurt again doesn't help, but the Rangers have power throughout the batting order. Bet on Texas to have an offensive outburst as this is an awful matchup for Mize.

Pick: Texas Rangers Over 4.5 Runs | Play to 5