The Houston Astros will travel a few hours up Interstate 45 to Arlington’s Globe Life Park to play their divisional rival Texas Rangers. The matchup will be nationally broadcasted on ESPN and the first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Odds
Texas (+100) is the home-team underdog against Houston (-110) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this one at 10.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). You can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds coming in at Astros -1.5 runs (+135) and Rangers +1.5 runs (-155).
The Astros are 57-33 SU and are 47-43 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 0.3 units ATS. Houston’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Rangers, on the other hand, are 48-42 SU and 53-37 ATS. They’ve gained 15.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 12.2 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Texas games have an over/under record of 43-46-1 thus far in 2019. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 40-47-3.
Framber Valdez will get the start for the visiting Astros. The southpaw Valdez (3-4, 4.57 ERA) has recorded 41 punchouts in 45.1 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 5.06 ERA against Texas this year.
The Rangers are handing the ball to righty Lance Lynn (11-4, 3.91 ERA), who’s got 123 strikeouts and 26 walks, along with a 1.22 WHIP. Lynn is 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have a 4.89 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 42 games against divisional foes, Rangers starters have an ERA of 5.10 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.49.
Texas’ hitters are putting up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .257/.314/.447 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers’ offense has been led by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. Andrus is slashing .303/.339/.453 with eight home runs, 45 RBIs, 49 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Choo’s line is .288/.384/.495 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs, 56 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.85 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.21 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.88, along with a K/9 of 9.62.
The Astros offense has slashed .269/.348/.472 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game this season, including 6.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been paced by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who collectively have belted 26 home runs. Brantley is hitting .324/.383/.511 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs and 48 runs scored, while Gurriel is hitting .277/.314/.482 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 cashed in 30 of those games, compared to 31 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 0.0 units and are 17-12 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 13 that went under the total.
Astros vs. Rangers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- Houston has tallied 25 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Texas has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have an OPS of .820 this season and an OPS of .796 against right-handed pitchers. The Rangers’ OPS stands at .776 overall and .804 against righties.
- The Astros have won seven of their last eight games SU.
- Houston has recorded 25 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 28 over its last five.
- Both teams have hit 12 home runs over their last 10 games.
