The Texas Rangers (44-46) meet the Los Angeles Angels (43-46) Monday as the AL West foes swing into a 4-game series in Southern California. The first pitch from Angel Stadium inAnaheim is slated for 9:38 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rangers vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rangers lead 3-0

Texas is continuing a road trip that opened with the Rangers losing 2 of 3 games at the San Diego Padres over the weekend. The Rangers had been good on the road for a recent stretch (8-3 from June 7-25), but are overall just 18-27 away from home.

The Angels are back at home after a 2-4 road trip. That voyage — with 3 games each at the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays — included LA losing 3 in a row — Friday through Sunday –north of the border. Each of those losses were in 1-run games.

Rangers at Angels projected starters

RHP Jacob deGrom vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi

deGrom (9-2, 2.13 ERA) is making his 18th start. He owns a 0.89 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 101 1/3 innings.

Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 10-2 win vs. Baltimore Orioles TuesdayCareer vs. Angels: 4-2, 4.75 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 35 H, 11 BB, 40 K in 8 startsHas not allowed more than 2 ER in a start since April 11 (1.77 ERA in 86 2/3 IP)

Kikuchi (3-6, 2.81 ERA) is making his 19th start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 102 1/3 innings.

Last outing: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 8-3 loss at Atlanta Braves WednesdayCareer vs. Rangers: 4-2, 4.75 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 35 H, 11 BB, 40 K in 9 gamesOwns a 1.93 ERA over his last 5 starts

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Rangers at Angels odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:33 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rangers -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Angels +125 (bet $100 to win $125)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+115) | Angels +1.5 (-140)Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Rangers at Angels picks and predictionsPrediction

Rangers 5, Angels 3

No interest: PASS.

Texas has swept 2 straight series from Los Angeles and has defeated the Angels in 8 straight games. Seven of those 8 games were by multi-run cushions.

The Halos have overplayed their 4.26 runs per game against 4.81 RPG allowed. They have also dropped 4 consecutive season openers.

With deGrom on a roll, BACK THE RANGERS -1.5 (+115).

Three sectors in the 4-sector pitching part of the equation are operating with lower-than-expected ERAs. Both starters — Kikuchi more so than deGrom — and the Texas bullpen have surface ERAs buoyed by rates around the margins. Both starters, for example, have favorable but perhaps not deserved numbers in clutch situations. And the Ranger relief corps has filed a tidy .280 batting average on balls in play.

The Texas offense has a well-below-average .662 OPS, but that’s a number held in check by a .271 BABIP. The Angels have filed a .280 BABIP in that same department. Prior to the weekend, the Rangers had clocked an 8-game stretch (June 24-July 2) when they averaged 6.00 RPG.

The back ends of both bullpens were not much in play Sunday but both had very busy dance cards Friday and Saturday. The availability of top-flight arms on both sides would figure to be down a couple clicks.

With an outward breeze in the Angel Stadium forecast, BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-110).

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