The Texas Rangers are set to host their cross-state rival Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The action will get underway at 2:05 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will showcase the game.
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Odds
Houston (+100) is coming into this one as the underdog to Texas (-120) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this game at 10 runs (+100 for the under and -120 for the over). Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -145 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +135 for the Rangers +1.5.
The Rangers are 1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS. They’ve lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors and 1.1 units against the spread (ATS). The Astros have gone 2-1 SU this year and are 2-1 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 0.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline in the season’s early going and 0.8 units ATS.
Texas games have an over/under record of one-2 in 2018. Houston has an over/under record of one-2.
The Astros just took the previous game in the series by a score of nine runs to three.
Gerrit Cole will get the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Cole recorded 196 strikeouts over 203 innings last year (33 starts) while finishing the season 12-12 overall with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
The Rangers are rolling with lefty Mike Minor as their starter. Minor recorded 88 strikeouts over 77 innings last year (0 starts), while finishing the season 6-6 overall with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.
As a unit, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.91, a WHIP of 1.57 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.8. The bullpen has a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In three games against divisional opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.91 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.38.
Texas’ offense is putting up 3.0 runs per outing, including 3.0 per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .223/.291/.340 over its last five contests and is 1-2 SU during that span.
Elvis Andrus has helped lead the Rangers’ offense this year with six hits, two RBIs and four runs scored. .
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.0 runs per game and its starters own a 2.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.15, along with a K/9 of 9.35.
The Astros offense has slashed .248/.345/.446 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.7 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-1 SU).
Houston’s offense has been spearheaded by Correa Correa. Correa is hitting .455/.538/.909 with five hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. He enjoyed hitting against lefty pitching on the road last year, maintaining a slash line of .407/.458/.630 across 59 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .315/.391/.550).
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Astros went 12-7 SU against the Rangers last season.
The Rangers’ bullpen managed 6.89 ERA against the Astros last year.
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