The Houston Astros have won their last eight games against the Texas Rangers and opened as the -260 favorites in the final Lone Star Series of 2018. This is the longest winning streak all-time between the two clubs and the Rangers come back as +220 underdogs. The pitching matchup has Dallas Keuchel taking on Yovani Gallardo with tonight’ total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of Texas’ last 10 games against Houston. (Avg. combined score: 7.5)
- Houston has gone UNDER in five of Dallas Keuchel’s last six starts (Avg. combined score: 5.33)
- The total has gone UNDER in each of the five series openers between Houston and Texas (Avg. combined score: 5.2)
View Rangers vs Astros matchup page.
Keuchel returning to Cy Young form
The 2015 Cy Young Award Sportsbook, Dallas Keuchel (8-8, 3.53 ERA), had a rocky start to his season but seems to have turned a corner in July. The lefty is a perfect 4-0 this month while holding a sparkling 0.98 ERA and holding batters to a .194 average. Additionally, the Astros are 7-1 SU over his last eight starts, and he has had four scoreless outings during that span.
Keuchel is taking on the Rangers for the fifth time this year and for the second time at home. Overall, Houston is 3-1 SU in his previous four starts vs Texas with the lefty tossing seven scoreless innings in his lone home start. According to our Pitcher Run Support page, Keuchel has been provided with an average of 4.57 runs per game through his starts in 2018.
The Rangers keep winning with Gallardo on the hill
The Rangers signed Yovani Gallardo (4-1, 7.18 ERA) to a minor-league deal after he elected to test free agency following three relief appearances with the Reds in early April. Since the Mexico native has returned to the Rangers in June, the club is 5-1 SU. Texas has provided Gallardo with an average of 8.17 runs of support which leads the majors among pitchers that have made at least five starts.
The 32-year-old has had career success against the Astros holding a 16-5 record and a 3.29 ERA – his clubs have gone 16-7 SU over those 23 careers starts. However, he has made just six trips to the mound vs Houston since 2015 and holds a 5.46 ERA over those outings. Gallardo is coming off a start in which he tossed six innings of scoreless ball vs Cleveland.
Runs have been at a premium when these clubs meet
The UNDER has been a good wager when Texas and Houston have met in recent times and Sportsbook has tonight’s total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs. The total has gone UNDER in eight of their last 10 meetings with an average combined score of 7.5 and they have gone UNDER in each of their five series openers this season with a combined score of 5.2. Additionally, the Astros have gone UNDER five of Keuchel’s last six starts with an average combined score of 5.33. Houston has gone UNDER tonight’s total of 8.5 runs in 13 of Keuchel’s 21 starts this year, most recently, in seven of his last 10 outings.
