Rangers vs. Diamondbacks prediction and odds for Monday, Aug. 21 (Stop the skid)

The Texas Rangers better send a thank you note to the Seattle Mariners because as Texas got swept by Milwaukee this weekend, the Mariners swept the Astros to keep 2.5 games of separation in the AL West standings.

The Rangers are still on top at 72-52 as they enter this two game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona is 64-61 and just one game out of the final National League Wild Card spot. 

Tonight, the Rangers will hand the ball to Jordan Montgomery to make his 25th start of the season and fourth with Texas.

He is 8-10 after winning his last start and has a 3.30 ERA. Slade Cecconi will go for Arizona opposite Montgomery. Cecconi will be making just his fourth career appearance and has a 3.48 ERA. 

Despite losing their last four, the Rangers are road favorites in Game 1 in Arizona. Let’s get into the odds. 

Rangers vs. Diamondbacks odds, run line and total

Rangers vs. Diamondbacks prediction and pick

The Diamondbacks are 12-22 since the All-Star break and a lot of that has to do with their pitching. That’s why Cecconi is up in the big leagues. Arizona has a team ERA of 5.31 since the break which is 29th in baseball over that stretch. Their bullpen is last in ERA since then at 6.27, so their staff has completely fallen apart. 

Cecconi has never gone longer than 4.2 innings in an MLB start, so Arizona can expect to use their terrible bullpen quite a bit against one of the best lineups in the MLB. 

Arizona has more than one weakness. Which is unsurprising considering their record in the second half so far. They also struggle to hit lefties and since the start of July are 21st in wRC+ against left-handers with very limited power. 

Jordan Montgomery was excellent in his last trip to the mound, going six innings and giving up just one run with nine strikeouts. I’m happy to back Montgomery in this one especially given how poor Arizona has been against left-handed pitchers. 

The Rangers may be 2-4 over the past week, but Corey Seager is doing his part. He has a 1.282 OPS with three home runs over that stretch. I’ll take the Rangers to finally bounce back. 

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change