Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers are ready to take on their AL West foe Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in a Sunday matinee. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will be airing the action.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Odds
Bookmakers have Texas (+125) as the underdog to Houston (-135). If you’re thinking the game’s total is going to go under 10 runs, then Vegas is currently offering -120 odds. Taking the over can give you even money (+100). There’s a runline of Rangers +1.5 (-170) and Astros -1.5 (+150) for this matchup.
The Rangers are 50-48 SU and have gone 57-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 13.2 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 12.9 units ATS. The Astros, on the other hand, are 63-37 SU and 50-49 ATS. The team has gained 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 3.2 units ATS.
Astros games have an over/under record of 45-51-3 in 2019. Texas has an over/under record of 48-48-1.
Right-hander Lance Lynn will get the nod for Texas. Lynn is 12-5 with a 3.87 ERA and 140 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 19 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA against Houston this year (two starts).
The Astros are going with righty Rogelio Armenteros (0-0, 2.00 ERA), who has nine strikeouts and two walks as well as a 1.11 WHIP. Armenteros hasn’t faced the Rangers yet this year and did not appear in the majors last season.
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starters own a 5.15 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 8.70 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.99, along with a WHIP of 1.44 and a K/9 of 8.40.
The Rangers offense has slashed .250/.326/.442 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo continue to lead Texas’ hitters. The speedy Andrus is slashing .289/.328/.427 with eight home runs, 49 RBIs, 51 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Choo (.284/.383/.500) is up to 16 homers, 39 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2019. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.92, a WHIP of 1.11 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 43 games against divisional foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 4.06 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.36.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.2 runs per contest, including 6.1 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .297/.359/.537 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros’ batters have been led by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is hitting .326/.385/.510 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs and 53 runs scored, and Gurriel’s line is .286/.322/.508 with 18 homers, 60 RBIs and 56 runs scored.
The Rangers have gained 15.6 units and are 38-26 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 30 of those games, as opposed to 34 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 9.7 units and are 34-35 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 34 of those games, as opposed to 33 that’ve cashed the under.
Rangers at Astros MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in five of Texas’ last seven contests.
- Houston has posted 26.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 26.6 over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 19 over their last 10.
- The Rangers have a team OPS of .768 this season and an OPS of .794 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS stands at .825 overall and .795 versus righties.
