Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers are preparing to take on their division rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in a Saturday showdown. The matchup will get going at 7:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to ATTSN Southwest.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Odds
The Rangers are 50-47 SU and have gone 56-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 14.2 units for moneyline bettors and 11.9 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 62-37 SU and 50-48 ATS. The team has gained 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 2.1 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Houston games have a 45-50-3 over/under record so far in 2019. Texas has an over/under record of 48-47-1.
The right-handed Ariel Jurado will get the nod for the visiting Rangers. Jurado (5-5, 4.63 ERA) has recorded 51 strikeouts in 70 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 5.87 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are putting the ball in the hands of Jose Urquidy (0-0, 10.50 ERA), who has eight strikeouts and one walks as well as a WHIP of 2.50. Urquidy hasn’t faced the Rangers yet this year and did not pitch in the majors last season.
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starters own a 5.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 8.71 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.01, along with a K/9 of 8.47.
Rangers hitters have slashed .251/.328/.445 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been led by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. The speedy Andrus is slashing .292/.331/.431 with eight home runs, 49 RBIs, 51 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Choo (.285/.384/.494) has produced 15 homers, 38 RBIs and 62 runs scored.
For the home team, Houston’s pitchers have given up 4.2 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.96, a WHIP of 1.12 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.3. The bullpen has a 3.79 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 42 games against divisional opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 4.15 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.40.
The Houston offense is putting up 5.2 runs per contest, including 6.1 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over its last five. The team has hit .287/.377/.506 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is hitting .321/.381/.504 with 13 home runs, 51 RBIs and 52 runs scored, while Gurriel’s line is .287/.323/.503 with 17 homers, 57 RBIs and 55 runs.
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, compared to 33 that’ve gone under against righty starters.
Rangers vs. Astros Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in just two of Texas’ last seven games.
- Houston has recorded 28.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 25.8 over its last five.
- Both teams have hit 19 home runs over their last 10 outings.
