The Texas Rangers head into their final game of the regular season with an 81-80 record, holding the third place in the AL West Division. They arrive in Cleveland after a narrow 3-2 loss against the Guardians, marking their eighth loss in the last ten games. Managed by Bruce Bochy, the Rangers will look to end their season on a high note at Progressive Field.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians come into this game on a positive note, having already secured the top position in the AL Central with an 87-74 record. Under the guidance of manager Stephen Vogt, the Guardians are riding a wave of momentum from their recent victory over the Rangers. The Guardians boast a 7-3 record over their last ten games and will aim to maintain this momentum.
Set to be broadcast on CLEG, this afternoon showdown at Progressive Field in Cleveland promises a mild day with clear skies. The game odds show the Guardians as the favorites with a moneyline of -152, while the Rangers are listed at +129. Both teams have shown competitive spirit in their recent encounters, making this game an intriguing contest to watch.
Guardians vs Rangers At a Glance
- Game Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 3:10 PM (Afternoon Game)
- Location: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH — Outdoor Field
- Weather: Mild day with clear skies and a light breeze crosswind
- TV Channel: CLEG
- Guardians Record: 87-74, leading AL Central
- Rangers Odds: Moneyline at +129, Runline +1.5 (-167)
Guardians Gear Up: Cleveland Set for Key Game Against Rangers
Texas Rangers Offensive Overview
The Texas Rangers head into the game with a batting average of .225, ranking 18th in the league. Despite their struggles at the plate, their lineup has managed to hit 166 home runs, placing them 19th overall. Their on-base percentage is a concerning .294, which is the 23rd best in MLB.
Slugging is another area where the Rangers need improvement, as they currently rank 24th with a .372 slugging percentage. However, they have been able to capitalize on their power, producing 240 doubles this season, ranking 21st. The team’s ability to draw walks is also a notable point, with 490 walks placing them 19th in the league.
Key Players to Watch
Patrick Corbin will be the starting pitcher for the Rangers, bringing a 4.34 ERA and a WHIP of 1.36. Corbin’s record stands at 7-11, indicating some inconsistency on the mound. His performance will be crucial for the Rangers as they aim to contain the Guardians’ offense.
Offensively, the Rangers will look to their lineup to generate runs and support Corbin. Their ability to hit home runs and produce doubles could prove vital in putting pressure on the Guardians’ defense. The outcome of this game may hinge on the Rangers’ ability to make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Texas Rangers Pitching Performance
The Rangers’ pitching staff has maintained an impressive 3.69 ERA, ranking 4th in the league. They have limited opposing teams to a batting average of .238, which is the 7th best in MLB. This indicates a strong ability to keep hitters at bay, which will be important against a capable Guardians lineup.
However, the team has given up 168 home runs, ranking them 6th in the league, which highlights a potential area of concern. With 55 quality starts, they rank 12th, showing a need for more consistency from their starters. Blown saves are also a factor, with 22 blown saves placing them 5th in the league.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU All Games: 87-74 (54.0%)
- Runline as Underdog: 53-35 (60.2%)
- O/U All Games: 69-92 (42.9%)
- O/U in Away Games: 33-48 (40.7%)
With these betting trends, the Rangers have shown some potential on the runline, particularly as underdogs. However, their overall performance on totals indicates a tendency towards the under.
Rangers Look to End Season on a High Note Against Guardians
Team Overview
The Cleveland Guardians bring a balanced approach into their clash against the Texas Rangers. Holding the second-best batting average against in the league at .229, they demonstrate a robust defensive setup.
Their pitching is a significant strength, evidenced by their leading 3.46 ERA. This solid foundation positions them well for a competitive game.
Key Players to Watch
Logan Allen will take the mound for the Guardians, with an ERA of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.39. His performance will be crucial for Cleveland, as he aims to outpitch the Rangers’ starter, Patrick Corbin.
In the batting lineup, watch out for players who have contributed to the team’s 170 home runs this season, ranked 8th in the league. Their power could play a pivotal role in today’s game.
Season Performance
The Guardians have consistently performed well throughout the season. They have accumulated 60 quality starts, ranking them 10th in the league, showcasing their consistent starting pitching efforts.
They have shown resilience in tight situations, converting 28 saves, ranking 11th. This could be a critical factor in closing out close games against the Rangers.
Offensive Strategy
Offensively, Cleveland will look to exploit the Rangers’ pitching weaknesses, especially given their lower batting average of .235, ranked 16th. This presents opportunities for the Guardians to capitalize on mistakes.
With 484 walks this season, the Guardians have demonstrated patience at the plate, ranking 20th. This ability to get on base could be crucial in driving in runs against Texas.
Betting Trends for Cleveland Guardians
- SU Last 3 Games: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5 Games: 3-2 (60.0%)
- SU All Games: 84-76 (52.5%)
- SU as Favorite: 49-31 (61.3%)
- Runline All Games: 90-70 (56.3%)
- Runline in Home Games: 45-35 (56.3%)
- O/U All Games: 76-84 (47.5%)
- O/U in Home Games: 38-42 (47.5%)
Guardians vs Rangers Prediction: Under 8.0
The Cleveland Guardians have excelled in pitching this season, holding the top rank in earned run average (3.46) and second in batting average against (.229). Their games have tended toward lower scores, with the Guardians hitting the under 69 times out of 161 games this season. Additionally, their recent head-to-head encounters with the Rangers have often resulted in low-scoring outcomes, further reinforcing the likelihood of an under scenario.
On the offensive side, both the Guardians and Rangers have struggled with consistency this season. The Guardians are ranked 18th in batting average (.225) and the Rangers 16th (.235), with neither team ranking in the top 15 for slugging percentage. This suggests that both teams may find it challenging to generate significant run support against each other’s pitching staff.
The Guardians’ performance at home and the Rangers’ on the road provide additional support for the under. Cleveland’s record at Progressive Field shows a tendency towards lower scoring games, with an over/under record of 36-44 at home. Meanwhile, the Rangers have underperformed on the road with a 33-47 record, further contributing to their offensive struggles.
Taking into account the pitchers, Logan Allen (Guardians) and Patrick Corbin (Rangers), who have ERAs of 4.14 and 4.34 respectively, the potential for a low-scoring game increases. With both pitchers having experience in controlling the game tempo, the projected score is Guardians 3, Rangers 2, favoring the under 8.0 line.
- Guardians vs Rangers Prediction: Under 8.0
- Guardians vs Rangers Score: Guardians 3 – Rangers 2
