Dallas Keuchel (3-0, 0.73 ERA) and Ross Detwiler (0-3, 8.66 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (18-7) and the Texas Rangers (8-16) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros come into this series riding a 10-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 4 and can be seen on FSN-SW and ROOT-SW.
Keuchel is 2-3 with a 3.95 ERA in his appearances against the Rangers, and goes up against a below-average Texas offense which is batting just .216 this season. Jake Marisnick (.382, 13 Rs, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. When pitching against the Astros, Detwiler is 1-0 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Prince Fielder (.358, 10 Rs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
Houston is a -175 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have recorded an overall money line of +1,344 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 5-3. Houston is perfect SU and unbeaten in its last 10 outings as the favorite. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 7.6 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 5.0 runs per game. The Astros have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in offense with 5.0 runs per game. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 88. Houston leads the MLB in steals, swiping 31 bases. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.08. The Astros are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.06 so far this season.
As for their opponent, Texas is coming in with an overall money line of -493 and a disappointing record of 7-13 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 6-12 record against teams in their division, and a 3-7 record SU.
The Astros lead the season series, 2-1. The Astros have a great 5-1 record at home (8-2 overall) against left-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Detwiler takes the mound. Keuchel (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a inferior 3-7 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
For the fourth time this season, the Astros registered at least two errors in a game.
When the Astros play into extra innings, they have a 3-0 record. The Rangers are 2-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Rangers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Astros have a 4-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rangers are 5-2. The Astros have an 11-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th, Texas sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 89 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at fourth with 125.
Ranking 12th, Texas is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 81 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at second with 94.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 14-5, well-matched with the Rangers who are 6-4 when hitting one or more homers.
