The Houston Astros are ready to do battle against their divisional rival Texas Rangers in a Friday showdown. ATTSN Southwest will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Odds
Vegas has listed Houston (-180) as the favorite over Texas (+170). The total sits at 10.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for -105 and the under for -115. The game’s current runline odds sit at -125 for picking the Astros -1.5 runs and +105 for the Rangers +1.5 runs.
The Rangers are 49-42 straight up (SU) and 53-37 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 15.8 units for moneyline bettors and 12.2 units ATS. The Astros have gone 57-34 SU this year and are 47-43 ATS. Overall, the club has gained 3.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.3 units ATS.
Texas games have an over/under record of 43-46-1 so far in 2019. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 40-47-3.
Gerrit Cole is getting the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Cole is 9-5 with a 3.09 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He’s 1-2 with 29 strikeouts and a 6.61 ERA against Texas this year (three starts).
The Rangers are putting the ball in the right hand of Jesse Chavez (3-4, 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), who has 59 strikeouts and 17 walks this season. Chavez is 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
As a unit, Texas’ pitchers have given up 5.1 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have a 4.82 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.75 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 43 games against divisional foes, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.93 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.42.
The Texas hitters have put up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .291/.352/.478 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo have paced the Rangers’ offense this year. Andrus is hitting .302/.338/.450 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, 49 runs and 19 stolen bases, and Choo’s line sits at .291/.387/.495 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs, 57 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.20 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.82, along with a WHIP of 1.11 and a K/9 of 9.63.
Astros hitters have slashed .269/.347/.470 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 5.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been led by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who’ve collectively launched 26 home runs. Brantley is hitting .323/.381/.507 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs and 48 runs scored, while Gurriel is hitting .274/.311/.476 with 14 homers, 50 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 8.3 units and are 31-32 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 30 of those games, compared to 31 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 15.8 units and are 36-25 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 28 of those games, as opposed to 33 which went under the total.
Astros vs. Rangers Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in only two of Texas’ last seven games.
- The Astros have an OPS of .817 this season and an OPS of .792 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Rangers’ OPS stands at .776 overall and .802 against righties.
- Houston has recorded 24.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 23.8 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
