The Houston Astros will play host to their Lone-Star state nemesis Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest will be showing the action and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Odds
The Rangers have gone 42-61 SU this year and are 49-55 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 11.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.2 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 67-37 SU and 53-51 ATS. The team’s gained 0.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 3.4 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 46-52-6 in 2018. Texas has an over/under record of 47-50-7.
Left-hander Cole Hamels is getting the start for Texas. Hamels is 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA and 114 strikeouts. He’s 1-2 with 24 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA against Houston this year (four starts).
The Astros will send righty Justin Verlander (10-5, 2.19 ERA) to the mound. Verlander has 183 strikeouts and 26 walks to his name, as well as a 0.85 WHIP. Verlander is 2-1 with 32 strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA over four starts against Texas this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.2 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 2.99, a WHIP of 1.08 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.96, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.8. In 44 games against AL West foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 2.98 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.61.
Houston’s hitters are putting up 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.1 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .201/.311/.341 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ batters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is hitting .329/.392/.464 with nine home runs, 46 RBIs, 64 runs and 14 steals, while Bregman is hitting .282 with 21 homers, 68 RBIs and 70 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 6.56 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.18, along with a WHIP of 1.45 and a K-per-9 of 8.23.
Rangers hitters have slashed .238/.322/.399 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara have paced Texas’ hitters. Choo is slashing .284/.398/.484 with 18 home runs, 44 RBIs and 57 runs scored. Mazara (.272/.332/.450) has produced 15 homers, 58 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
The Rangers have lost 9.3 units and are 34-38 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over’s hit in 30 of those games, compared to 38 that’ve gone under against lefty starters.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Texas has recorded 15 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 13 XBH over its last five.
The Rangers have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
The Texas defense has allowed five errors over its last five games, compared to two errors for Houston over its last five.
The Rangers have lost seven of their last eight games SU.
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