The Texas Rangers will be facing off against their in-state rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The matchup is going to be nationally televised on Fox Sports One and the game gets underway 4:05 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Texas (+195) as the underdog to Houston (-215). Gamblers are able to bet on the game’s total with odds posted at -120 for over 8.5 runs and even money (+100) for under 8.5. The game’s current runline odds stand at -110 for betting the Rangers +1.5 runs and -110 for the Astros -1.5.
The Rangers have gone just 4-11 SU this year and are 4-10 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.4 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 9.3 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Astros are 10-4 SU and 7-6 ATS. They’ve gained 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 0.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 4-9 so far in 2018. The Rangers have an over/under record of 6-7-1.
The Rangers have lost 3.0 units and are 3-7 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 3.0 units and are 3-0 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in two of those games, as opposed to one which went under the total.
Mike Minor (1-1, 2.53 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Rangers. The left-handed Minor recorded 88 strikeouts over 77 innings last year (with only 22 walks) while finishing the season 6-6 overall with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.
The Stros are rolling with righty Charlie Morton (2-0, 0.00 ERA) as their starter. Morton recorded 163 strikeouts in 146 innings last year (25 starts). Morton finished the season 14-7 overall with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He recorded two starts against the Rangers a year ago and assembled a 1-1 record with a 3.09 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
As a unit, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 2.9 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 2.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.05, a WHIP of 1.09 and a K/9 of 10.2. In five divisional games, Astros starters have an ERA of 2.30 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.55.
The Houston hitters are putting up 4.4 runs per contest, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .248/.333/.358 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ batters have been led by left fielder Josh Reddick and catcher Max Stassi. Reddick is hitting .323/.462/.613 with 10 hits, seven RBIs and eight runs scored, while Stassi’s line is .350/.435/.600 with seven hits, six RBIs and two runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .314/.363/.484, Reddick did not seem to enjoy hitting against left-handed pitchers at home in 2017, slashing .250/.302/.375 over 43 such plate appearances.
For the visiting squad, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.42 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 8.75 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.97, along with a WHIP of 1.67 and a K-per-9 of 8.08.
Rangers hitters have slashed .227/.305/.349 on their way to 3.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 2.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo have led Texas’ hitters. Andrus is hitting .327/.426/.500 with 17 hits, five RBIs and seven runs scored, while Choo is hitting .246 with 14 hits, three homers, six RBIs and six runs scored.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Rangers have lost six of their last seven games SU.
Texas has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 16.4 over its last five.
Each team has hit nine home runs over its last 10 games.
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