Doug Fister (10-7, 3.56 ERA) and Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.57 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (57-52) and the Texas Rangers (63-47) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 5-0, and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 6 and can be seen on RTSW and FSSW.
Fister pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out eight and walking one in a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. Jose Altuve (.357, 80 Rs, 19 HRs, 66 RBIs, 25 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run and two RBIs. Harrell went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out two and walking three in a 5-3 win over the Royals in his last outing. Carlos Beltran (.301, 51 Rs, 23 HRs, 66 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Houston is a -145 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of -916 and a record as the favorite of 40-39. Houston is a disappointing 2-6 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Astros have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.1 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.4 runs per game. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 79 bases. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Houston. The Astros are the top team when it comes to pitching, allowing a league-low 3.4 runs per home game. The Astros are the third-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.7 walks per game so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Astros, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.7.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 37-30 record and an overall money line of +2,241. They have been playing solid baseball as the underdog with an 18-11 record against AL West opponents, and a 27-18 record SU. The Rangers allow just four runs per road game, ranking them fifth in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rangers are fifth in the AL on the road with an average of 8.4 hits allowed per away game.
The Rangers have controlled the season series, 9-2. The Astros have a 42-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Harrell takes the mound. Fister (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 48-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
Houston won its last game in a shutout, its fifth of the season. Texas has been shut out five times this season.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 32-31 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 9-46. The Rangers have a 17-34 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Houston has hit 134 this season. Texas ranks eighth with 141 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.25 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.94.
Ranking 18th, Houston is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.732). Texas ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .751.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 40-40. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have a 35-33 record.
