The Houston Astros will head a few hours upstate to face their divisional rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. ATTSN Southwest will be airing the action. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Odds
Vegas has listed Texas (+160) as the underdog to Houston (-170). The total sits at 10.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -115 and the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the runline odds standing at -120 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +100 for the Rangers +1.5 runs.
The Rangers are 38-47 straight up (SU) and 41-44 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.0 units for moneyline bettors 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 are 55-31 SU and have gone 45-41 ATS. In total, the teams gained 1.5 units for moneyline bettors and 0.5 units ATS. Houston has 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. The Astros have an over/under record of 38-43-5.
The left-handed Dallas Keuchel is projected to start for Houston. Keuchel is 4-8 with a 4.22 ERA and 80 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 15 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA against Texas this year (three starts).
The Rangers will send righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-1, 3.57 ERA) to the hill. Bibens-Dirkx has 17 strikeouts and six walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.32. Bibens-Dirkx hasn’t faced the Astros yet this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.
Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starters own a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.30 K/9. The bullpen has logged an excellent ERA of just 2.58, along with a K/9 of 10.87.
The Astros offense has slashed .261/.336/.434 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is hitting .338/.403/.478 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 55 runs and 12 steals, while Bregman (.277/.379/.517) is up to 16 homers, 53 RBIs, 52 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Texas pitchers have given up 5.1 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.30, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.8. The bullpen has a 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 38 games against AL West opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 5.09 and the bullpens ERA is 3.79.
The Texas hitters have produced 4.6 runs per outing, including 3.6 per game against divisional foes and 7.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .309/.387/.558 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Rangers offense has been led by Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara. Choo is hitting .283/.393/.483 with 15 home runs, 39 RBIs and 49 runs scored, while Mazara’s line is .282/.341/.481 with 15 homers, 55 RBIs and 45 runs.
The Astros have gained 9.9 units and are 30-24 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 26 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 0.9 units and are 14-13 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to nine that’ve cashed the under.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Houston has logged 13 extra-base hits over its last five games. Texas has 23 XBH over its last five.
- The Houston defense has allowed four errors over its last five games, compared to zero errors for Texas over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
