The 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles on Friday, which can be streamed on Apple TV, carries big American League Wild Card implications. The Orioles (56-59) sit one game behind the Rangers (57-58), who currently hold the final AL playoff spot.
These teams last played in the second series of the season, which ended on April 1. The Rangers took two of three in Baltimore.
On August 7, however, the Orioles’ roster looks pretty different after selling off core components at the trade deadline, while the Rangers largely stood pat.
Let’s break down this unassumingly meaningful matchup.
Texas is a -155 favourite to win on the MLB odds, with the total set at 7.5.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
Globe Life Field only ranks ahead of T-Mobile Park in Park Factor, which means it’s the second-most pitcher-friendly stadium in baseball. However, 62 Rangers games have managed to go over the total this season.
The Orioles’ bullpen ranks 17th in ERA (4.07) while the Rangers’ ranks 22nd (4.32).
Baltimore Orioles
Ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles executed an aggressive sell-off, trading away multiple major-league veterans and core players.
The biggest shock was sending Adley Rutschman and Jake Rogers to the division-rival Boston Red Sox. They also dealt Taylor Ward to the Seattle Mariners, Tyler Wells to the Tampa Bay Rays and Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins.
In August, the O’s have scored nine runs in five games.
Right-hander Shane Baz takes the ball on Friday, and he has been excellent since the all-star break, delivering 16.2 innings while having only surrendered two runs. He now faces a Rangers lineup that ranks 19th in home OPS, 18th in OPS vs RHP and 17th in OPS from the left side of the plate.
That is key as Baz has been blitzed by left-handed hitters this season. On the flip side, Baltimore ranks just 24th in road OPS and 19th in OPS against right-handed pitching.
Texas Rangers
Nathan Eovaldi gets the ball for the Rangers, and things have not gone according to plan for the veteran as of late. Entering July, he had a 3.93 ERA, but since then, it has ballooned to 4.31. In his last start, against the Astros in Houston, he surrendered six runs on 10 hits.
To make matters worse, the current Orioles roster is 17-for-38 against Eovaldi lifetime with three doubles and a home run.
Gunnar Henderson has been freakish against Eovaldi, tallying seven hits in 13 at-bats. Pete Alonso has three hits in four tries, and Colton Cowser has two hits in five at-bats, including a home run.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Orioles vs. Rangers?
The Orioles drew the short end of the stick having played at home on Thursday and traveling to Texas for a game Friday. The Rangers, meanwhile, enjoyed a rare day off after finishing a series at home against the Giants on Wednesday.
In spite of this and the aggressive teardown at the deadline, I am rocking with the Orioles as underdogs on the road, mostly as a fade of Eovaldi.
Best Bet: Orioles moneyline (+128)
