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Texas Rangers vs Cleveland Guardians August 24th 2025
The Cleveland Guardians will take on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. The game is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 2:35 PM. The Guardians have a record of 64-64 and are ranked third in the AL Central. They have been struggling with a four-game losing streak and a 2-8 record in their last ten games.
The Texas Rangers, also ranked third in their division, have a record of 65-66. They are on a two-game winning streak and have a 4-6 record in their last ten games. The game will feature starting pitchers Gavin Williams for the Guardians and Merrill Kelly for the Rangers. Expect a hot day with clear skies and a light breeze at the stadium.
Guardians vs Rangers Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Texas Rangers
- Venue: Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX
- Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
- Betting Odds: Guardians +111, Rangers -130, Total Over/Under 8.0
The Guardians Can Win If…
The Cleveland Guardians are looking to bounce back after a tough 10-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. In that game, Logan Allen struggled on the mound, allowing nine earned runs over five innings. Despite the loss, Kyle Manzardo and Gabriel Arias each contributed with hits, showing they can still produce offensively.
The Guardians have a solid pitching staff, with Gavin Williams set to start. Williams has an ERA of 3.24 and has secured eight wins this season. The Guardians’ pitching ranks 13th in ERA, indicating their ability to keep games close and give their offense a chance to win.
Offensively, José Ramírez is a key player for the Guardians. He has a batting average of .289 and leads the team with 26 home runs. With players like Ramírez and Manzardo in the lineup, the Guardians have the potential to put runs on the board and challenge opposing pitchers.
The Rangers Can Win If…
The Texas Rangers are coming off a dominant 10-0 win against the Cleveland Guardians. Jack Leiter was outstanding on the mound, pitching seven innings and striking out ten batters. The Rangers’ offense was strong, with Josh Jung, Cody Freeman, and Adolis García each hitting a home run.
The Rangers have shown they can win with their pitching and defense. They rank first in the league with a 3.48 ERA and second with a .228 batting average against. Merrill Kelly will start for the Rangers, and he has a solid 3.35 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP this season.
Offensively, the Rangers have power in their lineup. Corey Seager leads the team with 19 home runs, and Marcus Semien is not far behind with 15. With a lineup that can hit home runs and a strong pitching staff, the Rangers have the tools to win this game.
The Lean
The Rangers are favored to win with a moneyline of -130. The Guardians have a moneyline of +111. My model projects the Rangers to win with a score of 5-3. The Rangers have a better batting average and on-base percentage, which gives them an edge.
The total for the game is set at 8.0. My model predicts a combined score of 8, matching the line. With both teams having strong pitching, the under 8.0 at -113 is a solid pick. The Rangers’ pitching ranks first in ERA, which should help keep the score low.
Future Odds Shifting?
See Updated MLB Futures
Williams takes mound as Guardians’ “stopper”
The Cleveland Guardians have built confidence around Gavin Williams every time he starts, and for good reason. The young right-hander has emerged as the rotation’s anchor, leading the staff in ERA while delivering clutch performances when his team needs them most.
On Sunday, Williams will be asked once again to play the role of stopper as Cleveland tries to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Texas has taken the first two games of the series in commanding fashion, capped by a 10-0 rout Saturday that featured home runs from Cody Freeman, Josh Jung, and Adolis García.
Williams enters the finale with an 8-4 record and 3.24 ERA. His latest outing was another gem: 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 3-1 victory, his fifth scoreless appearance of the year.
A streak of dominance for Williams
Since his last loss on July 1 against the Chicago Cubs, Williams has been nearly untouchable. He has gone 3-0 in that stretch and has only allowed more than three runs once. On August 6, he came within one out of a no-hitter against the New York Mets, surrendering just a solo homer in the ninth inning while striking out 8 over 8 2/3 innings.
His track record against Texas is limited but impressive. In two career starts versus the Rangers last season, he went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA across 11 innings. With Cleveland’s offense struggling to match the Rangers’ firepower this weekend, Williams’ ability to control the game on the mound will be crucial.
| Gavin Williams vs. Opponents | Stat |
|---|---|
| Record since July 1 | 3-0 |
| ERA since July 1 | 2.11 |
| Scoreless starts in 2024 | 5 |
| Career vs Rangers | 1-1, 2.45 ERA (11 IP) |
Kelly looks to settle in with Rangers
The Rangers will counter with Merrill Kelly, who has shown flashes of his old self since being acquired at the trade deadline from Arizona. In his most recent start, Kelly limited Kansas City to just two hits — both solo homers — over six innings before leaving with hamstring cramps.
In four starts with Texas, Kelly owns a 4.09 ERA and is still seeking his first win as a Ranger. The team has dropped three of his outings, mainly due to lack of run support, scoring a combined 13 runs across those games. Still, his command and ability to keep the ball in the park will be key if Texas wants to complete the sweep.
Interestingly, this will be Kelly’s first career start against Cleveland. The Guardians remain the only MLB team he has yet to face across 166 appearances.
| Merrill Kelly with Rangers | Stat |
|---|---|
| Record | 0-1 |
| ERA | 4.09 |
| Last Start | 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ND vs KC |
| Career vs Guardians | First career start |
Rangers hit stride despite losing Semien
Texas’ offense looked unstoppable Saturday, slugging its way to a double-digit win behind three homers and a dominant start from rookie Jack Leiter. However, the Rangers suffered a blow when second baseman Marcus Semien landed on the 10-day injured list with a left foot injury. Remarkably, it’s only the second IL stint of his MLB career, underscoring how durable he has been.
Even without Semien, the Rangers’ lineup has shown no shortage of power, with García and Jung providing consistent production in the middle of the order. The key will be maintaining that momentum against one of the American League’s hottest pitchers in Williams.
What’s at stake in Arlington
For Cleveland, Sunday’s game is about avoiding a sweep and regaining ground in the crowded AL wild-card race. Williams gives them their best chance to reset, but the Guardians will need the offense to step up after being shut out Saturday.
For Texas, the finale is a chance to build on its surge and keep pressure on other AL contenders like the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners. With Kelly seeking his first win for the Rangers, the pitching matchup will be a major storyline to watch.
Fans following the playoff push can check the latest MLB scores and odds and explore expert MLB picks for insights on how this high-stakes matchup might play out.
