In the last of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (57-53) and the Texas Rangers (64-47) at Minute Maid Park, Joe Musgrove (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Yu Darvish (2-3, 3.29 ERA) get the ball. The Rangers won the last game 3-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 7 and will air on RTSW and FSSW.
In his last start, Musgrove pitched 4.1 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out eight and walking one in a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The Rangers were unsuccessful against the Orioles 5-1 the last time Darvish pitched. He went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out nine and walking one. Carlos Beltran (.306, 51 Rs, 23 HRs, 67 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Rangers, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Houston is a +108 underdog in this game, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Astros have a 16-13 record and overall money line at -816. They have struggled as the underdog over their last 10 games, going 0-2. Houston has been struggling as of late. In the last 10 games, Houston has only averaged 2.5 runs per game compared to the 4.4 it’s averaged on the season. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 80 steals. The Houston pitching staff has been dominant, only giving up 4.0 runs per game, which is best in the AL. The Astros don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at Minute Maid Park, ranking fourth in the AL with only 8.4 hits allowed per home game. An area where the Astros are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 8.7 K’s per game.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Rangers come into this game with a solid win percentage of .619 when playing as the favorite (26-16) and an overall money line of +2,141. Against teams in their division, they are 27-19 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 9-7 record. The Rangers will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their 10 most recent games, Texas’s run production has dropped to 3.3 runs per game, compared to 4.4 for the duration of the season. Switching gears to Texas’s pitching staff, they allow just 8.4 hits per road game, good for fifth in the AL.
The Rangers had the upper hand against the Astros in their previous 12 games this season, earning a 10-2 record. The Astros will take on a right-hander (Darvish) in this game and have a 42-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rangers will be the right-hander Musgrove. They sport a 48-32 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Astros are 19-21. The Rangers are 24-8 in close games this season.
The Astros are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Rangers have a record of 16-8 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 9-47. The Rangers have a 17-34 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Houston has hit 134 this season. Texas ranks ninth with 143 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.26 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.89.
Ranking 18th, Houston is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.731). Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .753.
The Rangers are 40-40 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Astros are 35-34 when they allow at least one homer.
