This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the UNDER Rangers/Giants.

San Francisco has seen the total go OVER the number in nine of its last ten, including eight straight. That includes an 11-1 loss here yesterday to the Padres.

Texas has seen the total go OVER in three straight, including a 10-2 win at home over Seattle yesterday.

Both teams have been playing to several high-scoring affairs of late, but everything points to more of a "duel" here in our opinion.

The visitors go with Kyle Gibson, who is 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA. He most recently allowed three runs off three hits while striking out eight over eight innings in what turned out to be an unfortunate no-decision vs. the Twins on Tuesday.

Over his last 41 innings of work Gibson has posted a 1.32 ERA.

Alex Wood counters for the Giants and he's 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA. He most recently allowed two runs off four this over five innings in a no-decision vs. the Rockies. To go along with his sharp 1.96 ERA, Wood also sports an elite 0.78 WHIP thus far.

I expect both pitchers to battle into the latter frames and look for that to ultimately help in driving this total UNDER the posted number.

Good luck, NP