The visiting Rangers hope for a solid performance on Sunday as they look to steal a win at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros.

Nick Tepesech, with a record of 2-3 on the season, gets the ball for the Rangers, while the Astros trot Jordan Lyles to the mound in this one. He is 1-0 so far in 2013.



View Texas vs Houston Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Those going with the Astros in this one found them listed as moneyline underdogs of +155 at Sportsbook for Monday's contest. The total was hovering near 9 at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings:
The Astros - Rangers odds would favor the Rangers if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Houston is rated No. 14 in the current American League Odds Shark poll, while Texas is at No. 8 in the American League.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Houston's No. 12 ranked American League offense (4 runs per game) against a Rangers defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 1 in the American League at 3.4 runs allowed per game. The Astros have been averaging 8.5 hits per game, less than the Rangers have managed so far this season (9 hits on average).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Houston has the American League's No. 15-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Rangers own the American League's No. 1 mark in runs allowed.

The Rangers were an 8-7 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Astros. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Texas at -245 on the moneyline, while the total score (15) was good news for OVER bettors. The Rangers grabbed a win last time out, defeating Erik Bedard and the Astros 8-7 on Saturday at Minute Maid Park.




Texas Rangers Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Oakland are 6-4
After playing Houston are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Houston Astros Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Texas are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8

A few Rangers at Astros trends to consider:
Texas is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston
Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas' last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Houston's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games when playing at home against Texas
Houston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games at home


Next up:
Texas at Oakland, Monday, May 13
Houston at Detroit, Monday, May 13