The St. Louis Cardinals (32-24) face the Texas Rangers (27-30) in the opener of a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Cardinals vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cardinals won 2-1 last year
The Cards took 2 of 3 at the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week, which culminated with a 6-4 victory Wednesday. SS Masyn Winn had 4 hits. He’s now hitting .323 with 5 homers and 15 RBIs in 93 at-bats since moving to the 2-hole in the order. 2B Brendan Donovan went 3-for-5 with his fourth homer.
The Rangers dropped 2 of 3 to the Toronto Blue Jays at home this week and scored 3 runs in the process. They lost Wednesday 2-0 and managed just 1 hit as the Jays had a bullpen game. SS Corey Seager went 0-for-4 with 2 K’s in his first game back from the IL. The Rangers are just 2-8 in their last 10.
Cardinals at Rangers projected starters
LHP Matthew Liberatore vs. RHP Jack Leiter
Liberatore (3-3, 2.73 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 59 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 6-5 home win over Arizona Diamondbacks Saturday
- 1 career start vs Rangers: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER (5 R), 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 6-4 road defeat June 6, 2023
Leiter (3-2, 4.17 ERA) makes his ninth start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 in 41 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 3 K in 10-5 loss at Chicago White Sox Saturday
- Has never faced Cardinals
- Home/road splits: 2-1, 4.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 in 4 home GS vs. 1-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 4 road GS
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Cardinals at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:35 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Rangers +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (+125) | Rangers +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Cardinals at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Rangers 2
The 25-year-old Liberatore has really come of age in 2025. He has allowed 1 ER in 3 of his last 4 starts, and 2 ER in the other. He has a 1.78 ERA with 21 K’s in 25 1/3 IP during that stretch. With the Rangers scoring a measly 3 runs this week, Liberatore is a good reason to back the CARDINALS (-135).
Give me MATTHEW LIBERATORE UNDER 2.5 EARNED RUNS (-130). He has allowed 3+ ER in just 1 of his 10 starts, and the Rangers’ offense has struggled.
The Cards are 5-4-1 O/U in their last 10, but the Rangers are 2-8. With Texas’ inability to put runs on the board, coupled with the dominance Libby has shown, I’ll take the UNDER 8.5 (-110).
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