Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Free Preview

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The Houston Astros will be squaring off against their in-state rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will be televising the matchup.

Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Odds

Texas (+160) is the home-team underdog to Houston (-170) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 10.5 runs. Odds for wagering on the games total stand at +110 for the over and -130 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the current odds coming in at Astros -1.5 runs (-120) and Rangers +1.5 runs (+100).

The Rangers are 38-48 straight up (SU) and 41-44 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.8 units (ATS). Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, have gone 56-31 SU this year and are 45-41 ATS. Overall, the teams accumulated 1.5 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 0.5 units ATS. Houston’s covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

Rangers games have an over/under record of 39-40-6 so far in 2018. Houston has an over/under record of 38-43-5.

Right-hander Gerrit Cole will get the start for Houston. Cole is 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA and 151 strikeouts. He’s 2-0 with 33 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA against Texas this year (three starts).

The Rangers are handing the ball to lefty Mike Minor (6-4, 4.64 ERA), who has 70 strikeouts and 19 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.17. Minor is 0-1 with 11 strikeouts and a 5.74 ERA across three starts against Houston this year.

Texas pitchers have given up 5.1 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The teams starters have an ERA of 5.33, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.8. The bullpen has a 3.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 39 games against AL West opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 5.16 and the bullpens ERA is 3.71.

The Texas hitters are putting up 4.5 runs per outing, including 3.5 per game against divisional foes and 7.4 per game over their last five. The teams hit .306/.384/.533 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara have led the Rangers batters this year. Choo is slashing .286/.398/.484 with 15 home runs, 40 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Mazara’s line sits at .278/.337/.475 with 15 homers, 55 RBIs and 45 runs scored.

For the visiting squad, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starters own a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.29 K/9. The bullpen has logged an outstanding ERA of just 2.59, along with a K/9 of 10.89.

Astros hitters have slashed .262/.336/.435 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).

Second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman have led Houston’s offense. Altuve is slashing .334/.398/.472 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 55 runs and 12 stolen bases, while Bregman (.279/.379/.515) is up to 16 homers, 53 RBIs, 53 runs and eight steals.

The Astros have lost 8.4 units and are 15-17 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 14 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 0.9 units and are 27-31 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 24 of those games, compared to 31 that’ve gone under.

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers MLB Pick

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

Betting Notes

  • The over has cashed in four of Texas last seven games.
  • Houston fielders have committed three errors over their last five games, compared to zero errors for Texas over its last five.
  • The Astros have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rangers have hit 13 over their last 10.