Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Free Pick

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The Houston Astros will be squaring off against their in-state rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. The matchup can be viewed across the country on Fox and the game gets underway 7:15 p.m. ET.

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Odds

Oddsmakers are listing Texas (+165) as the underdog to Houston (-175). Bettors can gamble on the games total with odds listed at -105 for over 9.5 runs and -115 for under 9.5. The games most recent runline odds sit at -120 for taking the Astros -1.5 runs and +100 for the Rangers +1.5 runs.

The Rangers are just 27-39 SU and 28-37 ATS. The team has lost 1.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 15.1 units against the spread (ATS). Texas has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, have gone 40-25 SU this year and are 35-29 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 1.6 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 5.0 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.

Rangers games have an over/under record of 29-31-5 thus far in 2018. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 26-34-4.

Charlie Morton is getting the start for Houston. The right-handed Morton is 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 92 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 26 strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA against Texas this year (two starts).

The Rangers are sending lefty Mike Minor (4-4, 5.76 ERA) to the mound. Minor has 52 strikeouts and 14 walks to his name, as well as a 1.35 WHIP. Minor is 0-1 with seven strikeouts and a 6.52 ERA against Houston this year.

Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.0 runs per game and its starters own a 2.83 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 10.27 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.03, along with a WHIP of 1.01.

The Astros offense has slashed .258/.332/.421 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game this year, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).

Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have paced Houston’s hitters. Altuve is slashing .341/.386/.470 with five home runs, 33 RBIs, 38 runs and nine stolen bases, while Springer is hitting .287 with 13 homers, 39 RBIs and 47 runs scored.

For the home team, Texas pitching staff has yielded 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have a 5.41 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In 36 divisional games, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.96 and the bullpens ERA is 3.85.

Texas hitters have produced 4.2 runs per contest, including 3.5 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .210/.319/.465 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.

The Rangers offense has been led by Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara. Choo is slashing .272/.375/.461 with 11 home runs, 27 RBIs and 39 runs scored, and Mazara’s line is .266/.339/.500 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 36 runs scored.

The Astros have lost 3.0 units and are 13-11 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 11 of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 0.1 units and are 19-25 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 18 of those games, compared to 24 that went under.

Houston Astros at Texas Rangers MLB Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • Texas has recorded 19.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.4 over its last five.
  • Both teams have hit 13 home runs over their last 10 games.