The Houston Astros will take on their in-state adversary Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. The action will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to ATTSN Southwest.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Texas (+195) as the underdog to Houston (-215). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over nine runs and +100 for under nine. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at Astros -1.5 runs (-145) and Rangers +1.5 runs (+125).
The Astros are 39-25 SU and are 34-29 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.6 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 4.0 units ATS. The Rangers, on the other hand, are 27-38 SU and 28-36 ATS. The team’s lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors and 14.1 units ATS.
Texas games have a 29-30-5 over/under record so far in 2018. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 26-33-4.
Justin Verlander is getting the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Verlander is 7-2 with a 1.24 ERA and 104 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 23 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA against Texas this year (three starts).
The Rangers are putting the ball in the right hand of Doug Fister (1-6, 4.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP), who has 38 strikeouts and 17 walks. Fister is 1-1 with seven strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
Texas’ pitching staff has allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 5.36 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In 35 games against divisional opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.85 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.83.
Texas’ hitters are putting up 4.2 runs per outing, including 3.5 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .204/.317/.433 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers’ batters have been led by Nomar Mazara and Shin-soo Choo. Mazara is slashing .267/.341/.500 with 14 home runs, 39 RBIs and 36 runs scored, and Choo’s line sits at .267/.370/.446 with 10 homers, 26 RBIs and 37 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.0 runs per game and its starters own a 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.23 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.09, along with a WHIP of 1.00.
Astros hitters have slashed .258/.332/.420 on their way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have paced Houston’s offense. Altuve is slashing .338/.384/.458 with four home runs, 31 RBIs, 37 runs and nine steals, while Springer is hitting .289/.361/.506 with 13 homers, 37 RBIs and 47 runs scored.
The Astros have gained 1.4 units and are 22-18 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 22 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 0.9 units and are 19-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve cashed the under.
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in just two of Texas’ last seven games.
Texas has posted 19.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.0 over its last five.
The Astros have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rangers have hit 12 over their last 10.
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