The Texas Rangers are staring down the barrel of a 10-game homestand that could have huge wild-card implications, but the AL-best Houston Astros are in town and will surely make things difficult. Sportsbooks opened the Rangers as +110 home underdogs with a total of 9.5.
- The total has gone UNDER in the Rangers’ last eight games when Sportsbook a series.
- The Rangers are 1-5 SU in their last six games after a win.
- The Astros are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games against the Rangers.
Charlie Morton and Cole Hamels will get the nod for the ’Stros and Rangers, respectively. Morton (9-4, 3.78 ERA) has had an excellent first season in Houston and needs only one more win to match his career high established in 2011 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The hurler has posted three straight quality starts but took a no-decision in his last appearance vs Toronto.
Hamels (6-1, 3.59) made three starts against the Astros in 2016, winning twice while allowing five runs over 21.2 innings. The veteran had allowed 15 runs over 17.1 innings in a three-start span before limiting Minnesota to one unearned run and four hits in a complete-game win.
Facing left-handers has been extremely difficult for Houston of late. In the Astros’ last six vs southpaws, they’re a brutal 0-6 SU.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Texas Rangers were listed as -109 moneyline favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook, while oddsmakers set the Sportsbook total line around 10.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer score prediction models pick a possible 5.2-3.9 win for the Rangers on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Texas Rangers sport a record of 54-59 heading into this matchup, while the Houston Astros sit at 71-43 on the season. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Texas vs Houston injuries news.
The Texas Rangers sit at No. 23 in the current MLB power poll here at OddsShark, while the Houston Astros sit at No. 21 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Texas Rangers No. 7-rated offense, averaging 4.9 runs per game, against a Houston Astros defense that ranks No. 10 at 4.42 in runs allowed per game. The Texas Rangers have averaged 8.04 hits per game so far, less than Houston Astros batters have averaged on the year (10.18 hits per game).
Comparing defensive stats, Houston owns the No. 15-rated road mark, allowing 4.66 runs per game on the highway. Texas, on the other hand, rates No. 4 in scoring at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Astros got to extra innings, but lost when they got there against Chicago on Thursday; it was a 3-2 final at Guaranteed Rate Field in MLB wagering action.
The Rangers grabbed a win last time out, defeating Rafael Montero and the Mets 5-1 on Wednesday at Citi Field.
- Houston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- Houston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Texas is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games
- Texas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Houston at Texas, Saturday, August 12
