MLB Betting: Rangers return home against Twins

Rich Harden comes off the DL to start Monday night versus the Twins.

The Texas Rangers look to get their mojo back as they begin a four-game home series Monday against the Minnesota Twins.

The Rangers (68-54) are finishing up a seven-game road trip Sunday in Baltimore. The result is still pending. They went 1-5 to start the trip, including getting swept at Tampa Bay. However, they’re 6-0 in their last six home games following a road trip of seven days or more.

Texas is just 7-11 in August and has seen its AL West lead slip slightly to seven-games over Oakland and the L.A. Angels. The Rangers are 39-23 at home, but a surprising minus 2.2 units there. They haven’t lost a home series in the second half (going 8-4).

The team is missing key offensive components in outfielder Nelson Cruz (hamstring) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin).

The Twins are 71-52 and have opened up a four-game lead in the AL Central. They’ve been one of MLB’s hottest second half teams (25-10). It hasn’t mattered where they’ve played (13-5 at home and 12-5 away).

Minnesota leads baseball in runs scored since the break (5.63 per game). It’s been done without slugger Justin Morneau, who has been out since July 7 with a concussion. Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Joe Mauer all have over 30 RBIs in the second half.

Francisco Liriano (11-7, 3.45 ERA) is having a solid year, especially considering his numbers last season (5-13, 5.80 ERA). He’s finally healthy and that’s been proven with a 9.81 strikeout rate. Minnesota is 6-1 in his last seven starts.

The 26-year-old lefty has hit a recent speed bump. He hasn’t finished six innings in his last three starts (5.87 ERA), walking 12 total batters. His road ERA (4.33) pales in comparison to home at Target Field (2.72).

Liriano hasn’t faced the Rangers this year. He had two starts in Texas last year (10.13 ERA). He got creamed (seven earned runs over two innings) in one and had a quality start in the other (two earned over six innings).

Rich Harden will pitch for Texas for the first time since August 7 (shoulder injury). He also missed most of June and July with a gluteal muscle strain. He pitched well in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City last Wednesday.

Harden (4-4, 5.45 ERA) has had a tough season in his first year with the team. His ERA and OPS (.838) are career-highs. His 7.75 strikeout rate is pretty good, but far below his career average (9.21).

The 28-year-old righty does have a much lower ERA at home (3.99) than away (6.40). The Rangers are 4-1 in his last five home starts.

Harden is making his first start against the Twins this year. He’s 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA lifetime against them. Texas is 6-0 in his last six starts against the AL Central.

Minnesota swept a three-game home series with the Rangers in May, limiting them to 2.33 runs per game. This is the first series in Texas this year, with Minnesota going 4-3 there last season. The MLB odds ‘over’ is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings in Texas.

First pitch on Monday is 5:05 p.m. (PT). Weather will be very hot in the mid to upper 90s.