The Rangers' only problem this year has been the unanswered questions they’ve had with their starting pitchers. One of those questions, A.J. Griffin (6-3, 4.39 ERA), will take the mound tonight to make a start opposite Doug Fister and the Houston Astros.
- The Astros are 2-11 in their last 13 games against the Rangers.
- The Rangers are 8-0 moneyline and 6-2 on the runline in their last 8 games vs the AL West.
- The Astros are 9-1 in their last 10 games on Friday.
Texas has won five straight games and has scored an average of nine runs per game during the streak. A.J. won’t have to pitch his top-notch stuff if the Rangers’ offense keeps it up and that seems likely as Texas has provided Griffin with an average of 5.39 runs of support so far. Griffin was victorious in his only start against Houston this year, limiting the Rangers’ state rivals to four hits and two runs in six innings.
Doug Fister (12-9, 3.60 ERA) has an interesting trend going where his team has not posted a consecutive win or loss in his last eight starts. The Astros lost Fister’s last start, so according to the trend they should win tonight – right? Fister has actually been better on the road as he’s 9-3 with a 3.07 ERA in games started away from Minute Maid Park.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Texas Rangers were listed as -130 moneyline favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook, while odds makers set the Sportsbook total line around 9.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer score prediction models pick a possible 4.2-4.0 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
Texas (80-54) will face the 71-62 Astros in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Texas vs Houston injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 15 (Texas Rangers) and the No. 6 (Houston Astros) teams, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Texas has baseball's No. 8-rated offensive output, at 8.93 hits per game. The Houston Astros average 8.44 hits per game, good for No. 23 on the list.
Texas owns the No. 19 defense, allowing 4.74 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Houston's No. 9-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Houston looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Athletics, a 4-3 final on Wednesday in support of M Fiers at Minute Maid Park.
Texas ran up the score in their last game on Wednesday, jumping to a lead and resulting in a 14-1 victory against Seattle.
- Houston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
- Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
- Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Houston at Texas, Saturday, September 3rd
