In the 0 game of an AL West doubleheader, the Texas Rangers are set to face off against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The game gets underway 8:10 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will be televising the action.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Odds
The Rangers are 17-19 SU and have gone 21-14 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 4.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline through the early portions of the year and 3.5 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 24-15 SU and 18-20 ATS. They’ve lost 0.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.2 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Astros games have had an over/under record of 17-20-1 so far in 2019. The Rangers have been a decent over bet with a total record of 21-13-1.
The right-handed Jesse Chavez will get the nod for Texas. Chavez (0-1, 7.27 ERA) has racked up 13 strikeouts in 17.1 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are handing the ball to righty Gerrit Cole (3-4, 4.17 ERA), who has 74 strikeouts and 15 walks, along with a 1.05 WHIP. Cole is 0-2 with 17 strikeouts and a 9.58 ERA over two starts against Texas this year.
As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.7 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have a 4.01 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.76, a WHIP of 1.00 and a K/9 of 9.1. In 18 divisional games, Astros starters have an ERA of 4.26 and the bullpen’s ERA is 1.94.
The Houston offense has put up 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .284/.366/.548 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. Brantley is slashing .338/.386/.593 with nine home runs, 28 RBIs and 22 runs scored, and Springer is batting .293 with 13 homers, 33 RBIs and 29 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.51 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 8.19 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.68, along with a K/9 of 7.40.
The Rangers offense has slashed .244/.333/.442 on its way to 5.7 runs scored per game this year, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been led by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. Andrus is slashing .326/.378/.507 with five home runs, 23 RBIs, 22 runs and eight stolen bases. Choo is hitting .311/.401/.515 with four homers, 14 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
The Rangers have gained 5.7 units and are 15-10 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over’s hit in 15 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve hit the under against righty starters.
Rangers vs. Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Texas has recorded 15 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Houston has 17 XBH over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 24 over their last 10.
- The Rangers have a team OPS of .775 this season and an OPS of .797 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .844 overall and .831 versus righties.
- Houston has posted 26.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.4 over its last five.
- The Rangers have lost three of their last four games SU while the Astros have taken six of their last seven.
