I apologize for the late play but I can’t resist the Rangers tonight.
Texas has been hot, yes, but I also believe they are significantly better than they have been for most of the first half of the season because they are finally healthy.
Elvis Andrus and Shin-Soo Choo are both at the top of the lineup and setting the table for the power that resides in the middle. That has freed up some room for Delino DeShields Jr. to hit second leadoff and turn the batting order over. Rougned Odor finally looks like he has some swag back and has hit three of his four home runs recently, including one last night.
So, yes, the Rangers are hot, but they are also a different team than they were in April and May now that they are healthy, because they still have good players. I’m not sure how long this will last, especially if management sells some of the better players before the trade deadline, but for now I have to back the Rangers and back them often.
Between the offense providing a ton of early run support and Yovani Gallardo knowing just what to do with it, last night was basically a night off for the bullpen. Bartolo Colon will go for a third consecutive quality start tonight.
The only two concerns I have about backing Texas tonight is that Carlos Rodon can be really good, though it doesn’t usually happen, and Avisail Garcia makes Chicago’s lineup just a tiny bit scarier. That’s it. Otherwise, Texas at home for this price is the sort of play I have to rush on here to write-up for you all. Good luck.
Free Pick: Texas -115
bartolo colon • chicago white sox • Texas Rangers