MLB Free Pick: Rangers vs Rays ALDS Game One

After 2,430 games played, the 2011 MLB season has reached its postseason with just eight out of 30 teams still standing. Major League Baseball gets it right when it comes to the playoffs. Win big in the regular season – or go home come playoff time.

The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays get the 2011 baseball playoff betting action started at 5:07 PM ET on Friday, September 30, from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

>>> Bet On The MLB Playoffs With BetOnline <<<

Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers Game Day Preview

During the regular season this was a back and forth series as the Rangers won five of nine contests, including two of three in Texas.

Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson went 2-0 (one no-decision) against the Rays in 2011 as he held them to five runs on ten hits over 21.2 innings pitched. Wilson blanked the Rays in Tampa Bay by allowing just two hits, over 6.1 innings, as the Rangers took Game Two of the 2010 ALDS by a 6-0 final score. A repeat of that performance would not surprise us today – in fact, we expect it.

Tampa Bay is sending rookie LHP Matt Moore into the heat of the postseason action after just 9.1 innings of big league experience. Given a choice, we are positive that Rays manager Joe Maddon would have set his pitching rotation differently. However, because it was “all arms on deck” during the last week of the regular season, just to make the playoffs, the Rays hand is forced.

MLB Playoff Betting Lines – Rangers vs Rays Free Pick

Scanning the betting lines, at our top rated online sportsbooks, the numbers at BetOnline give us the best value for today’s Rays vs. Rangers Free Pick.

Texas had the best hitting team in baseball this season with a lofty .283 team batting average. Tampa Bay was a distant 25th overall with a .244 team batting average. That being said, both teams have been wielding hot sticks down the stretch. Texas has scored 36 runs in their last five games, while the Rays have plated 29 runs over the same period.

Madden was forced into his series pitching rotation, and starting his rookie phenomenon, while Rangers Manager Ron Washington was able to get the ace of his starting rotation on the bump today. We feel this is a Texas size advantage for the Rangers today, and throughout the series.

Tampa players can toe the company line, saying they have full confidence in Moore, but all we care about is the bottom line. Experienced pitching, coupled with better hitting, gets the Rangers a big win at home to open this American League Divisional Series.

>>> Take TEX over TB at -1.5 (+110) with the BetOnline Run Line <<<